Washington, Dec 1: The US has congratulated Pakistan's General Qamar Javed Bajwa on his appointment as the country's new army chief.

 
In a daily press briefing by the State Department, Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner on Thursday said: "Let's give this gentleman a chance to get up to speed, but we certainly congratulate him on the appointment and welcome his — the transition to a new chief of army staff."
 
Toner said the US maintains close cooperation with Pakistan on counter-terrorism operations.”With respect to our counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan, that's ongoing. We work with them quite closely," he said.
 
The deputy spokesperson further added: "They're aware of some of our concerns, which include a safe haven for some terrorist groups that are active in the region." Gen Bajwa became the 16th army chief of Pakistan on November 29.
 
Despite strengthening ties with India, US is still maintaining ties with Pakistan which is seen as an important player in the trilateral ties between US, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Recently after the URI attack, NRIs had filed a petition with the White House demanding that Pakistan be declared a terrorist state. While reprimanding Pakistan for harbouring terrorists on its soil the US did not pass the petition, thereby asserting that it will maintain ties with both countries irrespective of regional politics.