ISLAMABAD: President of United Sates, Barak Obama on Friday night discussed bilateral relations and evolving situation in the region with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over telephone.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Sharif recalled his warm and friendly meeting with the president in Washington last year and their subsequent interaction at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague in March this year, said a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction at the direction of Pakistan-US bilateral ties, which he said were on an upward trajectory since his government came to power last year.

President Obama noted that the two countries enjoy strong and robust relationship. He was pleased to see that the government of PM Sharif had determined the right economic priorities and was successfully overcoming the challenges.

Obama informed the prime minister of his forthcoming visit to India.

Recalling his invitation extended in Washington, Sharif conveyed the expectation of the people of Pakistan to welcome President Obama to Pakistan sometime in the future. The president also assured him that he would undertake a visit to Pakistan at an early date, as soon as the situation normalises in the country.

Discussing the regional situation, the prime minister referred to the improvement of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, as manifest in President Ashraf Ghani’s recent visit to Islamabad.

The US president appreciated the Pakistani premier’s efforts in this regard and called it pivotal for the peace and stability in the region.

Prime Minister Sharif referred to his visit to India earlier this year, which was aimed at taking Pakistan-India relations forward.

Subsequent unfortunate steps on India’s part, including cancellation of Foreign Secretary level talks and the unprovoked firing across the LoC and Working Boundary resulting in civilian casualties, indicated that India was averse to normalisation of relations with Pakistan, said the FO statement.

“Thus, while we remain open to the resumption of bilateral dialogue, the onus is on India to create a conducive environment in this regard.”

“President Obama expressed his understanding for our position,” it added.

The prime minister also urged President Obama to take up the cause of Kashmir with the Indian leadership, as its early resolution would bring enduring peace, stability and economic cooperation to the region.

The two leaders agreed to stay engaged to further strengthen Pakistan-US relations in their common desire to promote peace and prosperity in South Asia.

White House confirms Nawaz-Obama phone call

White House also confirmed that the President Barack Obama telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and discussed with him the need for combating terrorism and bringing stability to the region.

“The two leaders reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region,” said a statement issued by the White House.

According to the statement, President Obama called the prime minister to “discuss efforts by the United States and Pakistan to advance shared interests in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan and region.”

President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed the valued relationship between the two countries and the importance of the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue as a framework for guiding the bilateral relationship, the White House said.

Commenting on the White House statement, diplomatic observers in Washington referred to unease felt in official US circles over National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz’s recent statement that the Pakistanis do not have to target those terrorists who are not threat to them.

Washington reacted angrily to the statement, reminding Pakistan that all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani network, threatened the stability of the entire region.

Mr Obama, who first visited India in 2010, is visiting India again in January. He will be the first president to attend Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Jan. 26.

The visit aims at strengthening a rapidly growing friendship with India, which has become the strongest US ally in the region during Mr Obama’s two tenures.

India and the United States signed several agreements during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to the White House in September.