US NSA Susan Rice with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad. (Agence France-Presse)
US National Security Advisor Susan Rice today discussed with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif bilateral issues and the regional situation, amid reports that she is in Islamabad on "an emergency visit" due to an escalation in Indo-Pak tension along the Line of Control (LoC).
Ms Rice arrived in Pakistan on a day-long visit to exchange views on various matters and prepare agenda for Mr Sharif's visit to the US in October.
A statement by Mr Sharif's office said the meeting "focused on matters of bilateral interest and the future of Pakistan-US relations."
"The situation in the region also came under discussion," it said without giving detail.
Her visit coincides with an escalation in tension between Pakistan and India along the LoC. There have been 55 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in August and more than 245 during the year so far.
Pakistan had also called off the proposed National Security Adviser-level talks between the two countries at the last minute.
The White House has, however, asserted that Ms Rice's visit was planned in advance and this was not an "emergency visit" due the increasing tension.
During the meeting today, Mr Sharif said the US is an important partner of Pakistan in all areas especially economy, defence and counter-terrorism.
He said Pakistan sees its ties with the US as a partnership which is in the interest of the two countries, the region and the world.
Mr Sharif said he was looking forward to his US visit in October as an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral ties.