Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held his first official phone call with US State Secretary Marco Rubio Monday and discussed bilateral ties, financial cooperation and regional security, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

The call marked the first direct communication between the two leaders since Rubio took on his role as America’s top diplomat.

“During the call, Dar Pakistan’s obligation to strengthen his partnership with the United States repeated,” the statement states. DAR emphasized increased cooperation in areas such as trade, investment and terrorism.

Rubio, in turn, expressed the united states’ desire to expand economic commitment, especially in sectors as critical minerals. “He said that cooperation in economy and trade would be characteristic of future connections between the two countries,” the Foreign Office noted.

The conversation also touched terrorism. Dar highlighted Pakistan’s efforts between 2013 and 2018, which Rubio recognized with appreciation while confirming the US commitment to improve cooperation with terrorism.

The two officials also approached the situation in Afghanistan and agreed on the need to solve the issue of US military equipment left behind after the US withdrawal in 2021.

“DPM/FM DAR and State Secretary Rubio agreed to remain in close contact and work together to promote the common interests of both countries,” the statement concluded.