US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III telephoned Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and congratulated him on his appointment.
According to the US Department of Defence press statement, the two military leaders discussed areas of mutual interest as well as recent regional developments. Taking to Twitter, Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin said he looks forward to working with General Asim Munir.
“Today I had the opportunity to congratulate General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s newly appointed Chief of Army Staff. The United States and Pakistan have a long-standing defense partnership and I look forward to working with General Munir,” Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin said.
Today I had the opportunity to congratulate General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s newly appointed Chief of Army Staff. The United States and Pakistan have a long-standing defense partnership and I look forward to working with General Munir. https://t.co/d60Nj6YEur
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) January 13, 2023
Pertinent to mention that this was the second high-level interaction between the US and Pakistani defence authorities since General Asim Munir took over as the Army Chief on November 29. US Central Command (Centcom) chief General Michael Erik Kurilla last month visited Pakistan and held a meeting with the army chief.
Read more: General Asim Munir assumes charge as 17th COAS of Pakistan
During the visit, General Michael Erik Kurilla met with senior military leaders, observed conditions and operations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and discussed opportunities to strengthen the military-to-military relationship between Centcom and the Pakistani forces.
COAS Asim Munir’s visit to Saudi Arabia
Earlier, COAS Asim Munir visited Saudi Arabia which was his first foreign trip after his appointment as army chief. During the meeting, he met the senior leadership of Saudi Arabia.
Gen Asim Munir had last week met Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and discussed the ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud also held a reception for COAS Asim Munir at the winter camp in Al-Ula which was attended by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and National Security Adviser Dr Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.
Read more: Watch: Doors of Holy Kaaba opened for COAS Gen Asim Munir