WASHINGTON: The United States has invited Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), to attend a conference of military chiefs from various friendly countries.
The conference, scheduled later this month, provides a much-needed opportunity for consultations between the two militaries at a difficult time.
Relations between the United States and Pakistan — only recently close allies in the war against terrorism — are on the brink of a break-up and talks between their civilian leaderships have failed to ease the tensions.
Bilateral relations, which have been tense since 2011, reached a new low after Aug 21, when US President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for South Asia.
In that speech, President Trump accused Pakistan of nurturing terrorists and encouraging cross-border attacks into Afghanistan. He also threatened punitive actions if Pakistan fails to change its Afghan policy.