COAS, US Centcom chief discuss matters of shared interests, regional security

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir called on Gen Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of the US Central Command (Centcom), and discussed cooperation in regional security matters, the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief met the Centcom chief during his visit to Headquarters Central Command at Tampa Bay, Florida.

“During the meeting, matters of shared interests, particularly cooperation in regional security matters came under discussion,” it said.

#ISPR

General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), #COAS called on General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander United States Central Command during visit to Headquarters Central Command at Tampa Bay, Florida. #Pakistan #USA #PakistanArmy

During the meeting, matters of shared interests,… pic.twitter.com/wi5kHq5PtE

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) December 19, 2023

“Both sides discussed avenues of joint training and reiterated the need for enhancing training interactions between Centcom and the Pakistan Army,” the ISPR said, adding that the COAS also visited Centcom Joint Operations Center during the visit.

The army chief landed in Washington last week on his first official visit to the US. Earlier, Gen Asim Munir met key government officials including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defence (retired) General Llyod J. Austin, Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown.

Bilateral interests, global and regional security issues, and ongoing conflicts were discussed during the meetings.

‘Pakistan major non-Nato ally of US’

Earlier on Monday, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, during a news briefing in Washington, said Pakistan was a “major non-Nato ally of the United States and a Nato partner”.

“We look forward to partnering with them on regional security and defence cooperation,” he said in response to a question on the army chief’s meeting with Secretary Blinken.

“As you know, he [COAS Munir] was in Washington to meet with a number of officials, including officials here at the State Department, including officials at the Pentagon and elsewhere,” Miller said.