Pakistan, United States, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan have agreed to establish a new quadrilateral diplomatic platform, focused on enhancing regional connectivity.

According to the Foreign Office, the understanding was reached amongst representatives of the four countries.

It said the parties consider long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan critical to regional connectivity.

Recognizing the historic opportunity to open flourishing international trade routes, the parties intend to cooperate for expanding trade, building transit links and strengthening business-to-business ties.

"The parties agreed to meet in the coming months to determine the modalities of this cooperation with mutual consensus," said the FO statement.

The US State Department also issued the same statement and said on Twitter that it looked forward to partnering with the three countries for regional cooperation, terming it a "cornerstone to a sustained peace".

Today, we announced a new diplomatic platform to help strengthen economic connectivity across the region. We look forward to partnering with Afghanistan, Pakistan & Uzbekistan to enhance regional cooperation, a cornerstone to a sustained peace. https://t.co/FjiIiPScmp pic.twitter.com/M83X390nfN

— StateSCA (@StateSCA) July 16, 2021