New Delhi: U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken dialled General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff on Wednesday to discuss the developments related to Afghan peace talks. Both the leaders also discussed bilateral cooperation between the two nations, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan said in a statement.
This comes a day after US President, Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2020, marking the 20th anniversary of Al Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks that pushed America into its longest war.
During the conversation matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including the latest developments in Afghan Peace Process and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed, the statement read.
COAS said that Pakistan will always support the “Afghan led-Afghan Owned” Peace Process based on the mutual consensus of all stakeholders.
The US dignitary also acknowledged Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region and pledged to further enhance bilateral relations between both countries.
READ: The world needs plurilateralism as multilateralism has fallen short: EAM Jaishankar
Earlier today, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, Belgium. According to the statement issued by the US State Department, Secretary Blinken and Secretary General Stoltenberg discussed their collective future in Afghanistan, noting that, as they have consistently said, the NATO Alliance went into Afghanistan together, adjusted to changing circumstances together, and will leave together.
They also discussed the immediate need for Russia to cease its aggressive military buildup along Ukraine’s borders and in occupied Crimea. The Secretary and Secretary-General agreed it was essential for NATO to continue delivering support for Ukraine.
It was Secretary Blinken who wrote a letter to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani proposing a UN convened meeting of representatives of six countries including India, to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan.
The United States under the Biden administration has been playing a crucial role in bringing an end to the decade long ethnic violence in the war-torn country of Afghanistan.
The Istanbul Conference on Afghan Peace Process is slated to be held from April 24 to May 4 between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban. Turkey will host the Istanbul Conference.
READ: India-Pak dialogue possible only if both parties trust the process: India’s ex-envoy to Pak
