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Top U.S. and Pakistani officials are meeting for the second day of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue in Washington.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Thursday that his delegation has had "very satisfactory" talks on a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. In an interview with Reuters news agency, he declined to elaborate on what was discussed.
Washington has signed a nuclear agreement with Pakistan's rival India, but U.S. officials have indicated they are reluctant to move forward with a similar deal for Pakistan. That is partly because Islamabad has long refused U.S. requests to question the founder of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, Abdul Qadeer Khan, who years ago admitted selling nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea.
Qureshi told Reuters Thursday that he thinks the Khan issue "is behind us" and U.S. officials are satisfied with Pakistani security for the country's nuclear assets. U.S. officials have not commented on the nuclear talks or the status of Khan.
Officials on Thursday are scheduled to discuss energy and water issues, as well as U.S. development assistance.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi discussed a Pakistani list of proposals -- including requests for more military equipment such as drone aircraft, aid for improving the country's energy industry, and economic stimulus efforts.
Qureshi told reporters that the first day of talks yielded a U.S. agreement to "fast track" delivery of key military supplies to Pakistan. He said he is happy that U.S.-Pakistani ties are progressing from a relationship to a partnership.
Clinton said the United States stands with Pakistanis as they rebuild communities and "rid their country of those who seek to destroy it."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says he expects the Pakistani delegation visiting the U.S. to raise the issue of Aafia Siddiqui -- the U.S.-educated Pakistani scientist convicted of trying to kill Americans.
Mr. Gilani told reporters in Islamabad Thursday that he had been discussing her case with U.S. members of Congress who have visited Pakistan.
In February, thousands of Pakistanis protested after a U.S. court convicted Siddiqui on seven counts, including attempted murder and assault.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
