Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood held a video call with the BritishMinister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad, on8 September 2020.

Views were exchanged on matters relating to bilateral cooperation, regionalsituation, and multilateral issues including climate change andCommonwealth.

Pakistan and the UK enjoy close friendly ties, based on historic linkagesand shared perceptions on a broad range of regional and internationalissues. The two sides discussed ways to further advance the mutualcooperation.

Bilaterally, the importance of frequent high-level exchanges, a closertrade and economic partnership, and stronger role of the diaspora inforging a robust bilateral relationship was emphasized. The two sides alsoappreciated their close collaboration that resulted in timely repatriationof stranded nationals due to Covid-19.

In the regional context, the Foreign Secretary shared Pakistan’sperspective on Afghanistan — reiterating Pakistan’s steadfast support forthe Afghan peace process and underlining the need for the earliestcommencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations.