British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday congratulated incoming premier Nawaz Sharif on his resounding election victory and praised his commitment to economic reform. Cameron broke off from a trip to Washington to speak to Sharif on the telephone and they agreed to work to reinforce he "strong bond" between their two countries, according to the British prime minister's office.
They also pledged their commitment to the trilateral process, the three-way talks between Britain, Pakistan and Afghanistan aimed at finding peace in Afghanistan, where Britain is starting to reduce its 9,000-strong troop presence. "The Prime Minister and Nawaz Sharif agreed that the strong bond between the UK and Pakistan was a huge asset and that they would work together to strengthen the relationship further," a Downing Street spokeswoman said. "The Prime Minister welcomed Nawaz Sharif's commitment to prioritise economic reforms."The two leaders also agreed on their shared commitment to the trilateral process and its importance in achieving peace in Afghanistan and the wider region."