Before the meeting, Ahmad said the talks would focus on achieving "greater reconciliation of our legitimate security concerns with the non-proliferation objectives of the international community." "We are not aiming at signed agreements as none are required, he said after receiving Talbott on Monday. Talbott met the Indian delegation lead by External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh in India to hold the seventh round of talks before proceeding to Pakistan.

During his 24-hour stay Talbott will also meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz. He is scheduled to leave for the United States after addressing the Pakistani Institute of Strategic studies.

Talbott's teamincludes Karl Inderfurth, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, and General Joe Ralston, vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The US began a dialogue with the two new nuclear states after they conducted atomic weapons tests last year. The engagement is aimed at securing adherence to Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and urging Pakistan and India to tighten export controls, stop further fissile material production and exercise mutual restraint in weapons development and deployment.

Pakistan has said it would urge US to play a more active and effective role towards finding a solution to the Kashmir dispute.