US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday visited Islamabad where he reiterated US President Donald Trump’s message that Pakistan must step up its efforts to eliminate insurgents and their safe havens in the country.

Tillerson met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the country’s powerful army chief of staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Tillerson told Abbasi that Pakistan is "so important regionally to our joint goals of providing peace and security to the region and providing opportunity for greater economic relationship."

Tillerson also voiced his appreciation to Pakistan for sacrifices it has made in fighting insurgency and for its help in securing the recent release of the US-Canadian couple and their three children who had been held hostage by the Taliban for five years.

Abbasi meanwhile told Tillerson: "We are committed in the war against terror. We have produced results. And we are looking forward to moving ahead with the US and building a tremendous relationship."

After leaving Islamabad, Tillerson flew to India where he is expected to hold talks with key officials on Wednesday.