The United States reiterated its desire to strengthen its “broad-based” bilateral relations with Pakistan when Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday, according to State Department Spokesman Ned Price.
“The Secretary (of State) underscored the resolute U.S.-Pakistan commitment to Afghan stability and combating terrorism,” Price said in a statement issued in Washington after the phone call with FM Zardari.
“The Secretary (of State) and Foreign Minister also highlighted ongoing engagement on trade and investment, climate, energy, health, and education,” the statement said, noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Pakistani relations.
“We look forward to strengthening our cooperation,” the statement added.
.@SecBlinken & @BBhuttoZardari spoke today and discussed continuing U.S.-Pakistan cooperation on Afghan stability, combatting terrorism, improving access to energy, expanding agricultural trade, and addressing longstanding commercial challenges #PakUSAt75 https://t.co/HgT8IelSXX
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) May 6, 2022
Read more: US condemns Karachi University terror attack
Moreover, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken invited Bilawal Bhutto to a food security meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on May 18.
The two-day ministerial conference will focus on the threat to global food security, triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and will be chaired by Mr. Blinken himself.
US values bilateral relationship with Pakistan
On Wednesday, responding to a question at his daily news briefing, Spokesman Price said the United States will continue cooperating with Pakistan on counter-terrorism and border security, while reiterating Washington’s condemnation of last month’s terrorist attack on Karachi University, amid a spike in such attacks across the country.
“We value our bilateral relationship. We want to continue to work together in areas where we do have mutual interests with our Pakistani partners. That includes counter-terrorism. That includes border security as well,” he had said.
Read more: US Secretary of State takes up press freedom with Pakistan
Price was reacting to the question of whether the U.S. was reviewing the former Trump administration-imposed suspension of security aid to Islamabad following the deadly terrorist attack in Karachi, as such attacks emanating from Afghanistan continue to rise across Pakistan.
Courtesy: APP with additional input by GVS