US defence chief vows to bolster partnership with Pakistan
In phone call to COAS General Asim Munir, Lloyd Austin says US and Pakistan shared long-standing defence partnership
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has congratulated General Syed Asim Munir on his appointment as the Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff, noting that the two countries have a long-standing defence partnership, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III on Friday rang up COAS General Asim Munir and extended felicitations, a press statement of the US Department of Defence read.
According to a Pentagon readout of the call, Secretary Austin congratulated General Munir and discussed areas of mutual interest as well as recent regional developments.
"Today I had the opportunity to congratulate General Asim Munir, Pakistan's newly appointed Chief of Army Staff," Mr Austin said.
"The United States and Pakistan have a long-standing defence partnership and I look forward to working with General Munir," he said in a tweet.
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
— Archive: Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDefAustin) January 13, 2023
Earlier in December, US Centcom Commander General Michael “Erik” Kurilla had also congratulated General Asim Munir on his new position and discussed the US-Pakistan security cooperation and strengthening the bilateral relationship. Gen Kurilla had spoken to General Asim Munir via a video teleconference. A statement from the US Centcom spokesman Col Joe Buccino had said General Asim Munir and General Kurilla had a previously established relationship from General Kurilla’s time as the Centcom Chief of Staff.