'Relationship with Pakistan crucial for US national security'

Pakistan PM's official visit comes as both nations work on strengthening relations

The White House has said that despite being complex, the US relationship with Pakistan is very important for America's national security and the safety of its citizens.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, while addressing his daily news conference, said President Barack Obama is looking forward to the meeting with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tomorrow.

"It's 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 the safety and security of American people," he said in response to a question.

Sharif arrived in the US on Sunday and is scheduled to hold meetings with top officials of the Obama Administration till Wednesday.

"The Prime Minister's official visit comes as we are strengthening US- Pakistan relations," Carney said, adding that Sharif is meeting a host of top administration officials including those in the State Department, Departments of Defence, Energy, Treasury and the US trade representative.

"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," he said.

Carney said the US wants to advance the 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," he said.