ISLAMABAD: Top diplomats of Pakistan and the United States on Saturday discussed recent regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations across multifaceted areas of cooperation.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a phone call on Saturday evening from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Pakistan-US ties, discussed recent regional and international developments, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across diverse areas of cooperation, the Foreign Office stated.
This is the third contact between the two top diplomats in less than six weeks.
In July, Dar and Rubio met in Washington, where the US secretary of state expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s continued willingness to play a constructive role in mediating conversations with Iran and its commitment to preserving regional stability.
During the White House meeting, both sides agreed to remain in contact and continue cooperation on areas of mutual interest.
Ties between Islamabad and Washington have improved in recent months, with the two sides sealing a trade deal and devising plans to jointly explore oil reserves in the South Asian country.
Earlier, at the height of hostilities between Pakistan and India, President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire following a four-day armed conflict in May. India, however, says there was no US mediation.
Trump also hosted Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House for lunch in June, in a rare diplomatic development.
