Obama calls Zardari, discusses mutual cooperation

Islamabad, Mar. 27 (ANI): US President Barack Obama telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday to discuss mutual cooperation and the situation in the South Asian region.

Obama and Zardari spoke about the "Friends of Democratic Pakistan" forum initiative, aimed at promoting and strengthening democracy in Pakistan, The Nation reports.

The two leaders also discussed the matters relating to fight against militancy, with particular reference to peace in the region.

Currently, the new US administration under President Barack Obama is working on a new strategy to deal with terrorism and extremism, with focus on a stable, economically strong and democratic Pakistan.

Pakistan plays an important role in the US launched war on terror. Soon after taking over the US administration, Obama appointed Richard Holbrooke as special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Zardari, who launched the initiative of 'Friends of Democratic Pakistan' (FODP) in New York in September 2008, will chair the Friends' Ministerial meeting being held in Tokyo on April 17.

The forum consists of 25 countries and multilateral institutions including US, UK, China, EU, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Republic of Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, Nordic countries, UN, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank. (ANI)