WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated the need to combat terrorism when they spoke, the White House said on Saturday.

The White House confirmed that Mr Obama telephoned the prime minister on Friday but details of the conversation differed from what had been issued in Islamabad earlier.

The Islamabad version said that the US leader called Mr Sharif to inform him about his decision to visit Delhi in January to attend the Indian Republic Day celebrations.

Read: Nawaz, Obama discuss bilateral ties, regional situation

The White House version did not mention the visit and instead focused on the security situation.

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,” it said.

“The two leaders reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region.”

Mr Obama and Mr 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.

The president welcomed Pakistan’s improved ties with the new Afghan government.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2014