COAS Asim Munir NI (M), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has held high-level discussions with senior political and military figures, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora, during his official visit to the United States.
At a retirement ceremony in Tampa attended by the COAS, General Michael E., the retiring Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), was honored. Kurilla and the Change of Command Ceremony marked Admiral Brad Cooper’s assuming command, according to a press release from Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The COAS expressed gratitude for General Kurilla’s outstanding leadership and invaluable contributions to strengthening bilateral military cooperation and expressed confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges.
Additionally, the COAS conveyed his best wishes to Admiral Cooper. In addition, the COAS met with General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss professional issues that interested both of them. He extended General Caine an invitation to visit Pakistan. On the sidelines, the COAS interacted with Chiefs of Defence from friendly nations.
During an interactive session, the COAS urged the Pakistani diaspora to maintain their optimism regarding Pakistan’s bright future and to actively contribute to attracting investments. The diaspora reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s development.
He continued by stating that the goals of these visits were to improve relations in a way that would be sustainable, positive, and constructive. “It is an honor for me to address Pakistanis living in the United States,” he stated, adding, “Overseas Pakistanis are a source of pride and dignity and are as enthusiastic as other Pakistanis.” When discussing regional issues, the army chief stated, “India wants to present itself as a ‘Vishva Guru’ (global teacher), but in practice, it is nothing like that.” “The involvement of India’s intelligence agency, RAW, in transnational terrorist activities is a cause of serious concern at the global level,” he added.
He talked about the assassination of a Sikh leader in Canada, the murder of eight Indian naval officers in Qatar, and Kulbhushan Jadhav. “Pakistan has fought a successful diplomatic war against India’s discriminatory and duplicitous policies,” Field Marshal Munir added.
He said, referring to the ongoing conflict with India, “This Indian aggression has brought the region to the brink of a dangerously flaming war, where any mistake would lead to a bilateral conflict.” He also said that Pakistan owed a lot to US President Donald Trump, “whose strategic leadership has not only stopped the Pakistan-India war but also prevented many wars in the world,” and that Pakistan owed a lot to him.
He stated, “Occupied Kashmir is not an internal matter of India but an unfinished international agenda” when discussing the issue of Kashmir. The Quaid-e-Azam had stated that Kashmir is Pakistan’s “jugular vein.” He added that there were also UN Security Council resolutions on occupied Kashmir, and Pakistan fully supports these resolutions.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), is undertaking an official visit to the United States. During the visit, he has engaged in high-level interactions with senior political and military leadership, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora.
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He also talked about terrorism, saying in his speech that “many terrorist organizations from Afghanistan, including Fitna-al-Khawarij, are active against Pakistan.” “Pakistan is currently the last bulwark against terrorism,” he asserts. “Pakistan is currently the last bulwark.” Pakistan’s advancement and prosperity are linked to Pakistanis living all over the world. “There is no support for terrorists, and they will have to face justice with all their might,” he went on to say. At the moment, terrorism’s last stronghold is Pakistan. The chief of the army stated that significant investment is anticipated from a potential trade agreement with the United States. “Pakistan has achieved remarkable successes on the international diplomatic front,” he added.
“MoUs are being implemented with the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and China, which will increase investment and economic cooperation.” He stated that Pakistanis who live abroad are just as passionate and dedicated as Pakistanis and are a source of dignity and pride. “Overseas Pakistanis are a case of ‘brain gain,’ not ‘brain drain.” The COAS also said that social media today is a powerful platform, but “anti-state elements are using it to create engineered chaos.”
Field Marshal Munir had emphasized Washington’s “immense potential for a broader, multidimensional relationship built upon mutual respect” during the trip in June. A press release regarding the visit stated, “In Tampa, COAS attended the retirement ceremony of the outgoing commander of United States Central Command,
General Michael E. Kurilla, in addition to the ceremony that marked Admiral Brad Cooper’s assumption of command. “COAS expressed confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges, expressed confidence in General Kurilla’s exemplary leadership and his invaluable contributions to strengthening bilateral military cooperation, and extended his best wishes to Admiral Cooper.
In June, Kurilla referred to Pakistan’s efforts to combat the Islamic State and terrorism in Balochistan as a “phenomenal partner” in the fight against terrorism. In addition, the field marshal met with Munir, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss professional matters of mutual interest and invite him to visit Pakistan. On the sidelines of the meeting, the army chief spoke with the chiefs of defense of friendly nations, according to the release.
