On Wednesday, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, General Asim Munir, held discussions with his British counterpart, General Sir Patrick Sanders, focusing on enhancing bilateral defence relations. The meeting, attended by the designated Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the UK Army, General Sir Roland Walker, delved into matters of mutual professional interest and strategies to further bolster defence cooperation, as stated by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media affairs wing.
During the interaction, COAS Munir expressed gratitude to General Sanders for his efforts in strengthening military ties between the two nations and extended congratulations to General Walker on his nomination as the upcoming CGS of the UK Army.
The ISPR disclosed that both COAS Munir and General Sanders also participated in the opening session of the sixth Pakistan-UK Regional Stabilisation Conference at the National Defence University in Islamabad, which General Walker also attended.
This conference serves as a significant platform for defence and security dialogues between Pakistan and the UK, alternating between the two countries. It brings together a diverse array of experts, including diplomats, defence officials, intellectuals, and civil society representatives.
As part of the conference proceedings, a 30-member delegation from the UK, led by Standing Joint Force Commander Major General Tom Bateman, was on a visit to Pakistan from April 29 to May 3, according to the ISPR.
The discussions during the conference spanned a wide range of topics, including global and regional security dynamics and their implications for national security, as well as regional peace and stability. Notably, this year’s conference expanded its focus from bilateral to regional issues, with the participation of defence officials from both nations.
Last year, during his visit to Pakistan, the UK CGS had acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism. He had also met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.