U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed relations between the United States and Pakistan in a call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the State Department says.
"The secretary welcomed the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Pakistan and reaffirmed our joint goals for enhancing U.S.-Pakistan bilateral partnerships on economic stability, climate, and health," the State Department said in a statement on July 6.
Blinken and Bhutto Zardari also spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and about the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on food security in Pakistan and the rest of the world, the statement said.
It was the second interaction between Blinken and Bhutto Zardari. They last spoke in May as Washington and Islamabad began efforts to repair ties that were strained under former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament in April, angered the United States by welcoming the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year and more recently by accusing Washington of being behind the attempt to oust him.
Washington and Pakistan's National Security Council, a body of top civil and military leaders, dismissed the accusations.
Khan's ouster came amid widespread discontent over inflation and discontent within the government over several issues, including moves that exacerbated Pakistan's worsening financial footing.
Pakistan's new government is led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the younger brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was convicted of corruption.
