Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with US President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday, where he urged America to stop drone strikes in his country as the two leaders sought to mend years of frayed relations.

“I ... brought up the issue of drones in our meeting, emphasising the need for an end to such strikes,” Sharif told reporters in the Oval Office.

The United States’ controversial drone programme, a key part of its fight against terrorism, has long been a source of friction between the two nations. Obama did not respond directly, but did acknowledge that efforts to strengthen ties could be a “challenge”.

“We committed to working together and making sure that rather than this being a source of tension between our two countries, it can be a source of strength,” he said.