‘Strong relations’ between US, Pakistan, says Washington

Washington, Sep 9 (IANS) The US has refuted reports that relation between Washington and Islamabad had hit a low point and said that the ties between the two countries were "in fact strong".

State Department spokesperson Mark Toner, while addressing the daily press briefing on Thursday, said US Secretary of State John Kerry not visiting Pakistan during his recent tour of Asia should not be tied to Pakistan-US relations.

John Kerry recently visited the Middle East and Asian countries, including India and Bangladesh.

"John Kerry's official visit to India was to accomplish strategic and business objectives," Toner said, adding that before this Kerry had visited Pakistan and continued to stay in contact with officials in Pakistan.

The spokesperson said the US was working with Pakistan to counter terrorism in the region.