WASHINGTON – United States (US) has decided to mend bridges with its allyand restore diplomatic ties between the two countries, reported a localpublication late Thursday.

Washington, after realising that tense relations with Islamabad werehurting bilateral ties, initiated contact with Pakistani officials to finda way out of the mutual distrust shared by both countries for each other.

The Pakistani authorities have been informed by US President Trump’sdiplomatic channels that the former wished to continue talks to helpneutralise tensions between the two countries.

According to sources, the US had shown interest in addressing thereservations of the Pakistani government by initiating the process ofdialogue. They said that relations between the two countries would mostlikely head towards improvement.

Sources further said that the process gained speed after a recent meetingbetween Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and US Vice President MikePence.

The new talks reportedly go by the agenda “Better Pak-US relations”.

The acting foreign secretary of US had detailed meetings with topgovernment and military officials to discuss the bilateral relations,support against terrorism as well as the situation in Afghanistan andregional affairs.

“The Trump administration is willing to support Pakistan for ensuring peacein Afghanistan,” the sources said, adding that the foreign secretary alsotold Pakistani authorities to play an active role in promoting peace withinAfghanistan.

Pakistan has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with theAfghan government led by President Ashraf Ghani.

“Pakistan has intimated that it wants good relations with the Trumpadministration,” the sources said, adding, “However, all diplomaticchannels will orchestrate a policy of fair dealing and equality.”