[1]The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Tuesday said it would continue to work closely with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) following a meeting between its Director Leon Panetta and Pakistani spy chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha here.
The relations remain on 'solid footing', CIA spokesman Marie Harf said after the crucial meeting, which came after months of tensions between the two organisations which has hit their joint anti-terror efforts.
"Director Panetta and General Pasha held productive discussions today, and the CIA-ISI relationship remains on solid footing," Harf told reporters.
"The United States and Pakistan share a wide range of mutual interests, and today's exchange emphasised the need to continue to work closely together, including on our common fight against terrorist networks that threaten both countries," Harf said.
It is understood that the focus of Monday's meeting was solely the relationship between the US and Pakistan. "The focus of today's discussions was the relationship between the United States and Pakistan," said a US official, familiar with the discussions when asked if India came up during the talks between Panetta and Pasha.
Pasha is believed to have left Washington late on Monday night, cutting short his visit by two days. Reasons for his early departure were not known immediately.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/leon-panettajpgcropdisplayjpg-147