Joe Biden and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have discussed the future of Afghanistan in their first phone call since the US President decided to pull US troops out of the country.
Mr Morrison described the call as “warm”, and said he expressed Australia’s condolences for the 13 US troops who died in the terrorist attack outside Kabul’s airport during the perilous evacuation mission.
“We acknowledged the importance and sacrifice of our shared 20-year contribution in Afghanistan, and need for our ongoing humanitarian cooperation,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
The White House said the pair affirmed their plans for an in-person “Quad” meeting in the US coming months, along with leaders from Japan and India.
When the President decided US troops would leave Afghanistan earlier this year, Australia was not consulted.
That fuelled concerns the alliance between the two nations, as well as the relationship between Mr Biden and Mr Morrison, was strained.
“Australia remains a pivotal partner to the United States,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said before the call.
“We have worked with our partners around the world to evacuate individuals from a range of countries around the world who need evacuating from the country.
“We are in close touch and close coordination and Australia is an incredibly vital partner, not just over the last several years in the war in Afghanistan but on a range of important global issues.”
This week marked the 70th anniversary of the ANZUS treaty between the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
“Through the years Australians and Americans have built an unsurpassed partnership and an easy mateship, grounded in shared values and shared vision,” Mr Biden said in a video statement posted to social media.
Australian soldiers did not ‘die in vain’
The White House earlier dismissed suggestions from the Taliban that Australian soldiers “died in vain” in Afghanistan.
With the withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan completed earlier this week, the debate over the legacy of the two-decade-long Afghan conflict continues.
On Wednesday, a Taliban spokesman told Nine the 41 diggers who lost their lives during the war had “died in vain … occupying our country”.
“I would say, and the President would say if he were standing here, those 41 Australians did not die in vain,” Ms Psaki said.
“And we are incredibly grateful for their partnership, we’re incredibly grateful for their support over the course of a 20-year war.”
Foreign Minister Marise Payne earlier said the Taliban’s comments were “repugnant”. ABC News