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ISTANBUL, Jan.25 (Dawn) - The presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan meet in Turkish-sponsored talks here Monday to discuss cooperation against extremists and improve ties poisoned by the insecurity plaguing their rugged border.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul will host the talks between Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan, which will also be attended by military and intelligence officials from the two countries.
The trilateral summit is the fourth round of fence-mending talks since 2007 held under the auspices of Turkey, the sole Muslim member of Nato which is using its traditionally close ties with both countries to mediate.
Ties between Kabul and Islamabad were strained as Pakistan's northwestern tribal regions became a stronghold for extremists who fled Afghanistan after the US-led invasion toppled the hardline Taliban regime in late 2001.
Afghanistan says much of its insurgent violence, including attacks on US and Nato soldiers, is planned in Pakistan, and has accused its neighbour of not doing enough to curb the militants.
Afghan and US officials suspect Pakistan's powerful military is sponsoring the Afghan Taliban, preparing for the day US troops leave so Islamabad can exercise influence over a Taliban government to offset regional superpower India.
Monday's meeting comes a day before a gathering in Istanbul of countries neighbouring Afghanistan to discuss ways to help the war-ravaged country achieve stability, security and prosperity.
The meeting will be attended by Gul, Karzai and Zardari as well as senior officials from Iran, China, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, a Turkish government official said.
Several countries and international organisations will send observers, among them British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
The meeting aims to encourage countries to tackle problems in their own region, rather than giving the lead to the West, and underline the need to back up the military struggle against the Taliban with economic and social measures, the official said on condition of anonymity.
