Nov 18 , 2015
News
General Raheel calls on US defence officials
Defence cooperation, strengthening military to military relations, regional security, training exchanges discussed in meeting
INPWASHINGTON - Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif spent whole of Tuesday at the Pentagon by holding meetings with top US defence officials, with defence cooperation between the two countries dominating the discussion.
According to a series of tweets posted by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa, the army chief on Tuesday met US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter and Deputy Secretary of Defence Robert O Work, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford, Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley and Centcom (Central Command) chief General Lloyd Austin.
During the meetings, General Raheel and American officials discussed defence cooperation between US and Pakistan, strengthening of military to military relations, regional security, need for enhanced defence coordination and increased training exchanges, said Lieutenant General Bajwa.
An increase in Tactical Reconnaissance Group (TRG) exchanges was also discussed. Later in the day, General Dunford hosted a special banquet at Fort Myer military base in honour of General Raheel. The banquet was attended by top officials including General Austin and General Miley, said the ISPR spokesman.
Earlier, General Raheel discussed bilateral defence relations and regional security in his meeting with Defence Secretary Ashton Carter. The US defence secretary appreciated Pakistan’s contribution and sacrifices in fighting the war on terror and acknowledged the effects of successful counter-terrorism operations, the ISPR spokesman said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk