U.S. defense secretary to visit Pakistan: foreign ministry

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis will visit Pakistan for talks on bilateral and regional matters, the Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal did not give any specific date for the visit. However, Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said last week that the visit is expected on Dec. 3.

Faisal said at his weekly briefing in Islamabad that the visit of Mattis will be part of the continued interaction between the two countries.

"This clearly indicates that dialogue between both the countries to bridge gap in perceptions is ongoing. We are trying to find common grounds and move forward in our bilateral relationship with the U.S. in a positive and cooperative manner," he said.

Regarding the U.S. policy on South Asia announced in August by U.S. President Donald Trump, the spokesman said "there was a difference in understanding and perceptions on both sides."

He added that thereafter, a dialogue started by a meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this year.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also met with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Washington. Tillerson later visited Pakistan in October. Enditem