U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones says the United States is committed to a long-term partnership with the Pakistani government and people.
Jones spoke Thursday in Islamabad after meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to discuss the new U.S. strategy for the troubled region.
The security adviser praised Pakistan for its anti-terror campaign in the northwestern Swat Valley. He said terrorism is not only an enemy of America, but a direct and urgent threat to the Pakistani people.
Jones also said the U.S. is committed to helping resume dialogue between Pakistan and India.
He met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani before departing for India.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since the Mumbai attacks, which killed more than 170 people. India has accused a Pakistan-based militant group (Lashkar-e-Taiba), as well as Pakistani intelligence agents, of participating in the attack.
Pakistan has admitted the attacks were planned in part in its territory, but denies government agents were involved.
Jones's visit to Pakistan comes a day after the U.S. Senate approved a bill that increases non-military aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year over the next five years.
The unanimously approved bill also recommends an additional five-year, $7.5 billion aid program conditioned on political and economic improvements in the country.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the bill earlier this month. The House also authorized an additional $700 million to help Pakistani security forces fight Islamic extremists.
The two chambers now have to work out and approve a compromise bill before U.S. President Barack Obama can sign it into law.