By News18
Pakistan鈥檚 Chief of the Air Staff, Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, arrived on an official visit to the United States to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation after Army Chief Asim Munir undertook a similar tour recently.
鈥淭he Chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, paid an official visit to the US, the first visit by any serving Air Chief of the Pakistan Air Force in over a decade, which will further enhance bilateral defence cooperation and mutual interests,鈥 the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said in a statement on Thursday.
This is the first visit by a serving PAF chief in over a decade, a signal of increased military engagements between the US and Pakistan. Sidhu also held several meetings with top military and political leadership of the country, including US Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Kelly L Seybolt and Air Force Chief of Staff General David W Elon.
What鈥檚 On Sidhu鈥檚 Agenda?
Sidhu鈥檚 visit is aimed at boosting the defence cooperation between the two nations and advancing mutual interests, according to Pakistan鈥檚 Director General of Public Relations. He also discussed ways to advance bilateral military ties and explore areas for training and technology exchange with US officials.
The meetings with the military and political leadership offered the Pakistan Air Force chief an opportunity to share his country鈥檚 views on strategic challenges, regional security framework and the impact of emerging technologies on defence cooperation, as per the DGPR.
During the detailed discussions, the two sides also agreed to establish high-level military relations in the future. He also held important meetings with prominent members of the US Congress, including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick, and Bill Heizenga.
Asim Munir鈥檚 Meeting With Trump
Sidhu鈥檚 visit came weeks after Pakistan鈥檚 Army Chief Asim Munir visited the US and was hosted by US President Donald Trump, whom he thanked for not going to war with India.
Hours before he hosted Munir, Trump held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wherein PM Modi firmly stated that India does not and will 鈥渘ever accept鈥 mediation and that the discussions between Indian and Pakistani militaries on cessation of military actions were initiated at Islamabad鈥檚 request.
Overseas Pakistanis had protested against Field Marshal Asim Munir outside an event at a hotel in Washington, DC. People shouted slogans 鈥淧akistanio ke Qatil鈥 and 鈥淚slamabad ke Qatil鈥, 鈥淢ass Murderer Asim Munir鈥, 鈥淒emocracy dies when guns speak鈥, 鈥淎sim Munir, your time is up. Pakistan will rise鈥 while he was being welcomed at the event.
(with agency inputs)