Thread by @bookscache

On 26 September 2014, US Vice President Joe Biden met PM Sharif on sidelines of the UNGA session.

He asked PM

"What would Pakistan want out of the relationship (with the US)?"

Not expecting such an abrupt start, Nawaz Sharif asked Sartaj Aziz to respond,

Who

1/8

who recounted the efforts made by Pakistan to defeat terrorism in Pakistan, the huge financial and human losses we had suffered, and the critical role that the Zarb-e-Azb Operation was playing in eliminating the forces of terrorism from our region.

2/8

A month later, on 26 September, US Vice President Joe Biden met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UNGA session.
Biden was in a relaxed and jovial mood and warmly shook hands with the Prime Minister and four of us who were accompanying the Prime Minister.

3/8

As soon as the media crew left the room and we took our seats, Biden, skipping the customary pleasantries, remarked that the US had high stakes in Pakistan and wanted to work with it, and without any pause, asked a pointed question:

4/8

Sartaj Aziz concluded that Pakistan expected the US to work with us on building a positive broad-based bilateral relationship. The Prime Minister added that the US image in Pakistan could improve profoundly if the Americans could focus on big ticket items for Pakistan,

5/8

such as the Bhasha and Dasu dams. The Prime Minister also called for expanded market access for Pakistani products, military hardware for the Zarb-e-4zb Operation, and assistance in our plans to rebuild homes of internally displaced persons.

6/8

Biden listened patiently, but then turned somber, surprising us with his answer. Ignoring this wish list completely, he remarked that North Waziristan still remained a safe haven for militants.
"You seem confident, but it is important that this change is permanent".

7/8

Reference: page 439 of #DiplomaticFootprints authored by @aizaz1101

8/8