Relationship with Pakistan crucial: US

Despite differences Washington wants ties to proceed on a positive trajectory

Ahead of talks between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US President Barack Obama, the White House has described the US-Pakistan relationship as "enormously valuable".

It said that despite some differences Washington wanted the ties to proceed on a positive trajectory, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

"The president looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Sharif to the White House Wednesday. The prime minister's official visit comes as we are strengthening US-Pakistan relations," Obama's spokesman Jay Carney said.

Sharif arrived in the US Sunday and has meetings with senior Obama administration officials on his schedule.

"These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss concrete cooperation on issues of mutual concern such as energy, trade, and economic development, regional stability, and, of course, countering violent extremism," Carney added.

"We want to advance our shared interest of a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan that is contributing to regional and international security and prosperity.

"We want to find ways for our countries to cooperate, even as we have differences on some issues, and we want to make sure that the trajectory of this relationship is a positive one," the press secretary said.

Continuing his emphasis on the importance of the relationship, Carney said: "It is obviously a very important relationship - the US and Pakistan. It's one that's obviously got a lot of complexity to it, but it's enormously valuable when it comes to US national security and to the safety and security of the American people."