U.S.-Pakistan Joint Statement: Pakistan-United States Defense Consultative Group Meeting

August 6, 2010

Islamabad - The 19th Defense Consultative Group (DCG) meeting was held in Rawalpindi from August 5 to 6, 2010. The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary of Defence, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Syed Athar Ali, and the U.S. delegation was led by the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Michèle A. Flournoy.

The U.S. delegation expressed its sympathies for the loss and devastation caused by recent flooding in Pakistan. The U.S. has responded swiftly in response to Pakistani requests for disaster assistance, providing $35 million in assistance, helicopter lift support, meals, and other humanitarian supplies. The Pakistani delegation expressed its appreciation for the rapid and abundant U.S. assistance, and noted that such a response is indicative of a partnership that reflects deep compassion for the sufferings of the Pakistani people.

The DCG is the primary forum for exchanging views and coordinating defense policy discussions, with the goal of strengthening the defense relationship based on mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual trust. The last meeting of the DCG was held in Washington D.C. in December 2009 and is part of the overall U.S. Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. In the intervening period, the Pakistan-U.S. defense relationship has continued to improve and focused on our joint efforts to fight terrorism.

The major theme of this year's DCG was to continue dialogue on strategic security issues and discuss ways to accelerate cooperation over the next twelve months in order to combat the threat of extremism to peace and security in the region. The group noted that significant progress had been made in strengthening the defense partnership through increased dialogue and broadened U.S. defense assistance.

The DCG plenary session reviewed the Exchanges on Defense Planning (EDP), which took place in June and July 2010 and identified Pakistan's immediate and long term defense needs. Both sides emphasized the importance of such exchanges in defining the mutual opportunities and challenges associated with multi-year cooperation between Pakistan and the U.S., and the value of prioritizing and integrating Pakistan's security and defense capability requirements. Having acknowledged the significance of the EDP in the defense partnership, it was agreed to continue the EDP process.

The Pakistani side also gave a briefing on counterinsurgency/counterterrorism issues and its conventional requirements. The U.S. side acknowledged the extraordinary sacrifices borne by the people and military of Pakistan in its efforts to defeat violent extremists. The Pakistani side also discussed the significant burden that increased military operations have placed on its forces and economic situation. Both sides also discussed prospects for peace and security in the region. The U.S. and Pakistan delegations acknowledged the improving coordination of activities along the border with Afghanistan.

The delegation discussed ways to assist Pakistan in transitioning across the counterinsurgency phases of clear, hold, and build. The Pakistani side emphasized the importance of providing swift humanitarian and developmental assistance to victims of violence. The delegation considered the challenges in assisting Pakistan in this area and prospects for expanding urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction support.

The respective participants briefed on the Security Assistance Working Group (SAWG) and U.S. efforts to speed assistance of military equipment to Pakistan. The Pakistani delegation expressed its appreciation for the increased U.S. military assistance and noted the value of U.S. military training efforts.

Both sides agreed to continue the EDP process in the coming months.  The next DCG meeting will be held in early 2011. The two sides agreed to continue working together for the mutually agreed objectives of peace, development and stability in the region.