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WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin has said that his talks with visiting Pakistan Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa focused on the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
“This long-standing partnership continues today with discussions focused on opportunities to address key mutual defense interests,” the US defense department said in its press statement after Gen Bajwa’s meeting with Secretary Austin.
Secretary Austin highlighted the significance of this alliance in a tweet he published on his official website, noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of relations between the US and Pakistan.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of relations between the U.S. and 🇵🇰 Pakistan. It was my pleasure to host Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, to the Pentagon where we discussed our long-standing defense partnership and areas of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/ptiZDiqc8I
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 5, 2022
His office issued a supplementary statement detailing Secretary Austin’s hosting of Gen. Bajwa at the Pentagon on October 4 in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of relations between the US and Pakistan.
“This long-standing partnership continues today with discussions focused on opportunities to address key mutual defense interests,” the Pentagon said.
In its statement, the military’s ISPR media office emphasized this point as well, stating that the two leaders also spoke on the “regional security situation and bilateral cooperation in different domains.”
The ISPR statement made additional comments on the necessity for ongoing support from Pakistan’s international ally for the rehabilitation of flood victims in Pakistan as well as improving commercial and economic ties between the two friends.
“Both sides had convergence on major international issues, including Afghanistan,” and also on the “need for cooperation to avoid humanitarian crisis and improving peace and stability in the region”.
Diplomatic sources in Washington, however, say that the talks with US officials focused on renewing the strong defense partnership that once existed between the two allies.
The US State Department recently announced that it had urged Congress to approve $450 million for the maintenance of Pakistan’s fleet of F-16 aircraft. Diplomatic watchers evaluate this endeavor against this backdrop.
