Updated

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Pakistan for meetings to ease tension over U.S. drone strikes, the war in neighboring Afghanistan and the fight against Islamic extremism.

Kerry arrived in Islamabad Wednesday evening on a trip that was not announced ahead of time because of security concerns.

He will meet Thursday with key civilian and military leaders, including newly elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Kerry will work to soothe Islamabad's opposition to U.S. drone strikes and urge Pakistani officials to coax the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table.

Kerry plans a stop in London on his return to Washington.