Pak, US discuss arms control, security issues

US and Pak held talks on arms control and strategic and security issues in the region as part of a dialogue between the two allies.

The United States and Pakistan held talks on Friday on arms control and strategic and security issues in the region as part of an ongoing dialogue between the two allies, officials said.

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A 10-member US delegation led by US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control Stephen Rademaker held discussions with a Pakistani team headed by Tariq Usman Hyder, a foreign ministry statement said.

"These discussions are part of a broad on-going dialogue on strategic and security issues, including regional security," the statement said.

The two sides also discussed recent global developments in arms control, it said, without elaborating.

Rademaker "conveyed US views that in certain circumstances missile defence could contribute to regional stability and the US was ready to further discuss this issue with Pakistan.

"Both sides agreed to continue discussions on these issues."

The talks were the first since a recent nuclear proliferation scandal involving the architect of Pakistan's nuclear programme, Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said that the talks had "nothing to with the nuclear proliferation issues."