Pakistan needs to "deliver outcomes" to build confidence and trust between it and the US, the Trump administration has said.&nbsp;

The US also reiterated that nuclear proliferation was one of its top security concerns.

Pakistan itself, the secretary (of State Mike Pompeo) has emphasised the need (for Pakistan) to deliver outcomes and to build confidence and trust between our two nations and we do want to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security, &nbsp;State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters Tuesday at his biweekly news conference.

Palladino was answering a question on the recent remarks by Pompeo in which he identified Pakistan's nuclear proliferation as the third top national security concerns for the US.&nbsp;

Nuclear proliferation is one of the very first national security concerns articulated in our national security strategy. It's at the very top of the list, he said.&nbsp;

So that absolutely remains something that this administration thinks about often because the level of impact of what could happen is simply so great. So that remains at the very top of our national security considerations, Palladino said.

Pakistan, he said, could play an important role in bringing about a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Pakistan and the EU Monday announced facilitating the start of a dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban to bring peace in Afghanistan.

The 4th Session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue was held in Islamabad where Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and EU Foreign Policy and Security Chief Federica Mogherini led their respective sides.&nbsp;

Pakistan needs to "deliver outcomes" to build confidence and trust between it and the US, the Trump administration has said. The US also reiterated that nuclear proliferation was one of its top security concerns.

Pakistan needs to "deliver outcomes" to build confidence and trust between it and the US, the Trump administration has said. The US also reiterated that nuclear proliferation was one of its top security concerns. Pakistan itself, the secretary (of State Mike Pompeo) has emphasised the need (for Pakistan) to deliver outcomes and to build confidence and trust between our two nations and we do want to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters Tuesday at his biweekly news conference. Palladino was answering a question on the recent remarks by Pompeo in which he identified Pakistan's nuclear proliferation as the third top national security concerns for the US. Nuclear proliferation is one of the very first national security concerns articulated in our national security strategy. It's at the very top of the list, he said. So that absolutely remains something that this administration thinks about often because the level of impact of what could happen is simply so great. So that remains at the very top of our national security considerations, Palladino said. Pakistan, he said, could play an important role in bringing about a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. Pakistan and the EU Monday announced facilitating the start of a dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban to bring peace in Afghanistan. The 4th Session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue was held in Islamabad where Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and EU Foreign Policy and Security Chief Federica Mogherini led their respective sides.

Pakistan needs to deliver outcomes: Palladino

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Russia to "cease its unconstructive behaviour" by supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, the State Department said on Monday.

Spokesman Robert Palladino said Pompeo had spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about Venezuela on Monday.

"The secretary told Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov that the United States and regional countries will not stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions in Venezuela," Palladino said in a statement.

The call appears to have been prompted by reports of the arrival on Sunday in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, of two Russian air force planes carrying a Russian defence official and nearly 100 troops, amid strengthening ties between Caracas and Moscow.

The State Department statement did not refer to the arrival of the Russian passenger jet and a military cargo plane, although it condemned Russian military support for the "illegitimate regime of Nicolas Maduro."&nbsp;

Russia has warned the United States and neighbours against military intervention in Venezuela.

During the call with Lavrov, Pompeo urged Moscow to join the United States and regional countries in backing opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The Trump administration has imposed crippling sanctions on the OPEC nation's oil industry. On Friday it sanctioned its development bank, Bandes, in efforts to choke off financial flows to Maduro's government and called on Venezuelan military leaders to abandon him.

Maduro has denounced the sanctions as US intervention and has won diplomatic backing from Russia, China and Cuba.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Russia to "cease its unconstructive behaviour" by supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, the State Department said on Monday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Russia to "cease its unconstructive behaviour" by supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, the State Department said on Monday. Spokesman Robert Palladino said Pompeo had spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about Venezuela on Monday. "The secretary told Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov that the United States and regional countries will not stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions in Venezuela," Palladino said in a statement. The call appears to have been prompted by reports of the arrival on Sunday in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, of two Russian air force planes carrying a Russian defence official and nearly 100 troops, amid strengthening ties between Caracas and Moscow. The State Department statement did not refer to the arrival of the Russian passenger jet and a military cargo plane, although it condemned Russian military support for the "illegitimate regime of Nicolas Maduro." Russia has warned the United States and neighbours against military intervention in Venezuela. During the call with Lavrov, Pompeo urged Moscow to join the United States and regional countries in backing opposition leader Juan Guaido. The Trump administration has imposed crippling sanctions on the OPEC nation's oil industry. On Friday it sanctioned its development bank, Bandes, in efforts to choke off financial flows to Maduro's government and called on Venezuelan military leaders to abandon him. Maduro has denounced the sanctions as US intervention and has won diplomatic backing from Russia, China and Cuba.

Pompeo urges Moscow in phone call to cease 'unconstructive behaviour' in Venezuela

Peace talks between the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/talks-with-taliban-an-incredibly-complicated-negotiation-us-secretary-of-state-pompeo-201255">US and the Taliban in Qatar</a> have yielded progress but much remains to be done, the State Department said on Tuesday.

Washington's envoy Zalmay Khalilzad resumed negotiations on February 25, part of a months-long push to end the war in Afghanistan, America's longest-running conflict which has been raging since shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks against the US.&nbsp;

Despite a two-day break before the weekend, negotiations continue on "a daily basis right now and progress is being made," spokesman Robert Palladino told journalists.

A Taliban spokesman also said on Sunday that the talks were progressing "on a step-by-step basis."

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/afghanistan-can-help-south-asia-rise-or-fall-201297"> Fates intertwined, Afghanistan can help South Asia rise</a>

"These discussions are ongoing and what we're focusing on are the four interconnected issues that are going to compose any future agreement," Palladino said -- listing them as "terrorism," "troop withdrawal," "intra-Afghan dialogue" and "ceasefire."

Initially, Khalilzad was to return to Washington on February 28, but discussions have continued.

"I wouldn't go so far as saying open-ended, but this is the nature of diplomacy, opportunities present themselves, we change course, we correct," said Palladino.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an exchange with high school students in Iowa he hoped sufficient gains would be made for him to be able to take a trip to help advance the negotiations "in a couple of weeks."

In Monday's event, Pompeo also called Afghan Taliban ''terrorists.''

"I have a team on the ground right now trying to negotiate with the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;terrorists in Afghanistan," news agency Reuters quoted Pompeo as saying.&nbsp;

The United States has not declared the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;a terrorist organisation.

A US&nbsp;State Department spokesman has declined to elaborate on the comment saying that "secretary's work speak for themselves".

"The secretary’s words speak for themselves and I am not going to go beyond that," spokesman Robert Palladino told a briefing.

He said US and&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;representatives currently are meeting in Doha.

Peace talks between the US and the Taliban in Qatar have yielded progress but much remains to be done, the State Department said on Tuesday. Washington's envoy Zalmay Khalilzad resumed negotiations on February 25, part of a months-long push to end the war in Afghanistan, America's longest-running conflict which has been raging since shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks against the US.

Peace talks between the US and the Taliban in Qatar have yielded progress but much remains to be done, the State Department said on Tuesday. Washington's envoy Zalmay Khalilzad resumed negotiations on February 25, part of a months-long push to end the war in Afghanistan, America's longest-running conflict which has been raging since shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks against the US. Despite a two-day break before the weekend, negotiations continue on "a daily basis right now and progress is being made," spokesman Robert Palladino told journalists. A Taliban spokesman also said on Sunday that the talks were progressing "on a step-by-step basis." Also read: Fates intertwined, Afghanistan can help South Asia rise "These discussions are ongoing and what we're focusing on are the four interconnected issues that are going to compose any future agreement," Palladino said -- listing them as "terrorism," "troop withdrawal," "intra-Afghan dialogue" and "ceasefire." Initially, Khalilzad was to return to Washington on February 28, but discussions have continued. "I wouldn't go so far as saying open-ended, but this is the nature of diplomacy, opportunities present themselves, we change course, we correct," said Palladino. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an exchange with high school students in Iowa he hoped sufficient gains would be made for him to be able to take a trip to help advance the negotiations "in a couple of weeks." In Monday's event, Pompeo also called Afghan Taliban ''terrorists.'' "I have a team on the ground right now trying to negotiate with the Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan," news agency Reuters quoted Pompeo as saying. The United States has not declared the Taliban a terrorist organisation. A US State Department spokesman has declined to elaborate on the comment saying that "secretary's work speak for themselves". "The secretary’s words speak for themselves and I am not going to go beyond that," spokesman Robert Palladino told a briefing. He said US and Taliban representatives currently are meeting in Doha.

Afghan peace talks: Progress is being made in Qatar with Taliban, reports US

Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday.

The figures were released after the United States urged <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/disappointed-with-bangladesh-over-inability-to-provide-visas-to-poll-monitoring-team-us-186238">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's</a> government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/silent-opposition-counts-on-viral-votes-in-bangladesh-election-186318">Opposition parties</a> said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a "climate of fear".

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term, said 7,021 of its activists had been detained.

Its Islamist ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, said more than 3,500 followers were in custody. Jamaat-e-Islami is banned from contesting elections but has candidates taking part as individuals with the BNP.

"Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested nationwide. These arrests have created a climate of fear," Jamaat secretary general Shafiqur Rahman told AFP.

Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure for arrests but said they did not make "unnecessary arrests" without warrants.

"We never target any individual unless they break the law. These people have specific warrants against them," he told AFP.

Candidate attacks&nbsp;

Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokesman, said the charges laid against party activists were "fictitious" and "ghost" cases" aiming for "a lopsided election" in favour of Hasina.

Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election.

The BNP and its allies have also accused police and ruling Awami League party activists of attacking their activists and candidates.

The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority majority country of 165 million.

"The Awami League activists along with the law enforcing agencies attacked our candidates at 28 constituencies (in the last 24 hours). Nineteen of our candidates and over 100 activists were injured in the attack,” Ahmed told a press briefing.

He said that since the election campaign started at least 152 BNP candidates were attacked and hundreds of activists were injured in clashes.

Police spokesman Rana denied police had attacked any opposition activists, acknowledging only that "isolated incidents" were possible.

"If we receive any clear and evident allegation against any police member, we will surely take stern action," Rana said.

Hasina won the 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election — saying it was not free and fair — gifting her a return to power.

Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law.

The US State Department also raised concerns about Sunday's vote after it cancelled a planned observer mission by the Asian Network for Free Elections, which is funded by the US government because Bangladesh held up visas and credentials.

State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said democratic elections must have "space for peaceful expression and assembly, for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments, for participants to have access to information and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation or violence."

"We encourage the government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment to a democratic process by ensuring all Bangladeshis are free to peacefully express themselves and participate," he added in a statement.

Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday. The figures were released after the United States urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term.

Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday. The figures were released after the United States urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term. Opposition parties said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a "climate of fear". The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term, said 7,021 of its activists had been detained. Its Islamist ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, said more than 3,500 followers were in custody. Jamaat-e-Islami is banned from contesting elections but has candidates taking part as individuals with the BNP. "Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested nationwide. These arrests have created a climate of fear," Jamaat secretary general Shafiqur Rahman told AFP. Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure for arrests but said they did not make "unnecessary arrests" without warrants. "We never target any individual unless they break the law. These people have specific warrants against them," he told AFP. Candidate attacks Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokesman, said the charges laid against party activists were "fictitious" and "ghost" cases" aiming for "a lopsided election" in favour of Hasina. Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election. The BNP and its allies have also accused police and ruling Awami League party activists of attacking their activists and candidates. The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority majority country of 165 million. "The Awami League activists along with the law enforcing agencies attacked our candidates at 28 constituencies (in the last 24 hours). Nineteen of our candidates and over 100 activists were injured in the attack,” Ahmed told a press briefing. He said that since the election campaign started at least 152 BNP candidates were attacked and hundreds of activists were injured in clashes. Police spokesman Rana denied police had attacked any opposition activists, acknowledging only that "isolated incidents" were possible. "If we receive any clear and evident allegation against any police member, we will surely take stern action," Rana said. Hasina won the 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election — saying it was not free and fair — gifting her a return to power. Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law. The US State Department also raised concerns about Sunday's vote after it cancelled a planned observer mission by the Asian Network for Free Elections, which is funded by the US government because Bangladesh held up visas and credentials. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said democratic elections must have "space for peaceful expression and assembly, for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments, for participants to have access to information and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation or violence." "We encourage the government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment to a democratic process by ensuring all Bangladeshis are free to peacefully express themselves and participate," he added in a statement.

Over 10,500 opposition activists arrested ahead of Bangladesh polls

The United States on Monday praised the restoration of Sri Lankan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ranil-wickremesinghe-sworn-in-as-the-prime-minister-of-sri-lanka-184452">Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe</a> -- controversially replaced by a former strongman in October -- and voiced eagerness to work with him.

"We are pleased that the leadership in Sri Lanka has resolved the political crisis of the past several weeks in accordance with constitutional norms and the rule of law," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said.

"Sri Lanka is a valued partner in the Indo-Pacific, and we look forward to engaging with Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and his cabinet to advance cooperation on bilateral and regional issues of common interest," he said.

President Maithripala Sirisena in October abruptly sacked his onetime ally Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, a former strongman who had defiantly refused international calls for accountability over the bloody end of the decades-old Tamil Tiger insurgency.

Wickremesinghe's dismissal sparked an outcry at home and abroad, with his allies saying that China -- which forged a close economic relationship with Rajapakse -- was involved, a claim denied by Beijing.

The United States on Monday praised the restoration of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe -- controversially replaced by a former strongman in October -- and voiced eagerness to work with him.

The United States on Monday praised the restoration of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe -- controversially replaced by a former strongman in October -- and voiced eagerness to work with him. "We are pleased that the leadership in Sri Lanka has resolved the political crisis of the past several weeks in accordance with constitutional norms and the rule of law," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said. "Sri Lanka is a valued partner in the Indo-Pacific, and we look forward to engaging with Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and his cabinet to advance cooperation on bilateral and regional issues of common interest," he said. President Maithripala Sirisena in October abruptly sacked his onetime ally Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, a former strongman who had defiantly refused international calls for accountability over the bloody end of the decades-old Tamil Tiger insurgency. Wickremesinghe's dismissal sparked an outcry at home and abroad, with his allies saying that China -- which forged a close economic relationship with Rajapakse -- was involved, a claim denied by Beijing.

US eager to work with restored Sri Lanka PM Wickremesinghe