US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa on Sunday reinforced the United States’ commitment to maintaining a strong bilateral defense relationship with Pakistan and expressed gratitude for Islamabad’s continued support for the Afghan peace process, Pentagon said in a statement.

Austin noted that he looks forward to furthering cooperation between the United States and Pakistan in areas of common interest.

Austin visited Afghanistan on Saturday where he met with President Ashraf Ghani and stressed the need for a reduction in violence in Afghanistan.

The Biden administration is currently undertaking a review of the deal signed by its predecessor with the Taliban in February last year under which US troops are to withdraw from Afghanistan by May 1.

The review process would lead to the decision by the new administration on whether or not to adhere to the agreed timeline for troop pullout.

On Sunday, on his first visit to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief, said that the Biden administration wants to see “a responsible end” to the Afghan war but the level of violence must decrease for “fruitful” diplomacy to have a chance, the Associated Press reported.

“In terms of an end date or setting a specific date for withdrawal, that’s the domain of my boss,” Austin said.