Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is greeted by military personnel after arriving at International Security Assistance Force Headquarters (ISAF) Saturday in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: Getty Images

(VOVworld)- US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that he will travel to Pakistan on Monday for talks on bilateral relations and regional security issues including Afghanistan. During the visit, Hagel will meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other senior officials. He will also discuss security threats including security along the border with Afghanistan. Hagel’s visit takes place in the context of escalating tension between the US and Pakistan in recent years. Pakistan has threatened to shut down the logistics supply route for US and NATO soldiers who are participating in the Afghanistan war. In Pakistan, there have been protests against attacks by US unmanned aircrafts which killed many civilians.