ISLAMABAD: The United States on Wednesday praised Pakistan鈥檚 leadership for helping broker a ceasefire with India and deepening counterterrorism cooperation, saying such efforts had made both nations and the wider region more secure.

The comments were made by US Charg茅 d鈥橝ffaires Natalie Baker at her country鈥檚 Independence Day reception in Islamabad.

The ceasefire was announced by President Donald Trump on May 10 following a four-day standoff between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, during which the two sides exchanged missile, drone and artillery fire in one of the most intense military escalations in their recent history.

鈥淥ur collaboration helped broker a ceasefire between Pakistan and India, a reminder that when we stand together, even persistent tensions can find a path to peace,鈥� Baker said in her remarks.

鈥淚 want to echo President Trump鈥檚 deep appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal [Asim] Munir for their leadership and commitment in choosing the path of peace,鈥� she continued, calling their vision 鈥渢ransformative鈥� while hoping to 鈥渢ake the US-Pakistan relationship into new frontiers.鈥�

The US diplomat described the security and defense cooperation between the two countries as a pillar of bilateral partnership.

鈥淔or decades, our militaries have trained together, operated together and stood together to address shared threats, from terrorism to regional instability,鈥� she continued. 鈥淭hrough joint exercises, capacity-building programs and military education exchanges, we鈥檝e improved not only the security of our own nations but the safety of the wider region.鈥�

鈥淚 want to acknowledge and thank our US and Pakistani military officials for your dedication, sacrifice and shared mission to make both our countries safer 鈥� a legacy we deeply honor,鈥� she added.

Baker cited Pakistan鈥檚 recent capture and extradition of the Daesh militant responsible for the deadly 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul as a major milestone, saying it reflected growing operational trust between the two countries.

The attack killed 13 American service members and over 160 Afghan civilians during the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

鈥淭hanks to the leadership and resolve of Pakistan鈥檚 military and security authorities, terrorists are being brought to justice,鈥� she said.

鈥淎s President Trump noted in his March address to the US Congress, the bravery and wisdom of Pakistan鈥檚 leadership has made both of our nations more secure.鈥�

The event marked the 249th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence and was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior Pakistani officials, diplomats, business leaders and civil society representatives.

Baker said the bilateral US-Pakistan relationship had grown stronger across multiple sectors, from security and trade to innovation and cultural exchange.