The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Pakistan's newly elected prime minister's first meeting is now impending. The former have reached Pakistan on Thursday, his first time in Pakistan as the Secretary of State. His visit was kept mum to ensure security.

Their talks will center on economic issues and planned counter-terrorist activities. Mr Kerry also plans to reduce the tensions triggered by U.S. drone strikes against suspected militants which killed more than 3,000 people in Pakistan since 2004.

The U.S. drones constantly have to target North Waziristan because it has become a strategic location for the Al-Qaeda and Taliban's activities.

The newly elected prime minister of Pakistan, however, called for cessions of drone attacks, which Pakistan considers a significant violation of its sovereignty.

In the earlier part of 2013, U.S. President Barack Obama had defended the strikes as necessary and legitimate for the country's war against terrorism. However, the president also promised that the programme would become more transparent and be regulated heavily.

Mr Kerry will try to stress to Mr Sharif that terrorist and extremist activities not only endanger U.S. interests but also Pakistan's interests as well, especially in pursuing a stronger economy.

He is anticipated to meet not only Mr Sharif but also President Asif Zardari in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital. The meeting is said to transpire on Thursday.

The issue of drones is a complicated one in Pakistan. The government itself is accused of being two-faced. On the one hand, the government is seen criticising heavily the use of drones in public. On the other hand, the government is in reality cooperating in private with these specific U.S. attacks.

Mr Kerry and Mr Sharif hope to come out of their coming meetings with a fresh take on American-Pakistan international relations.

The last time a secretary of state visited Pakistan was two years ago when Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden died in a U.S. raid in North-west Pakistan. The relationship between the two countries was fraught with heavy tensions then.

Now, even though tensions have not dissipated completely and issues between the two countries are as controversial as ever, their relationship is said to be at a much better place. This is made possible by the improving domestic politics of Pakistan.