COAS meets top US officials, highlights importance of Kashmir settlement

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, who is in the US on a visit, in his meetings with top officials has highlighted the importance of resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with international law and relevant UNSC resolutions, the military’s media affairs wing said on Friday.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a press release said, the army chief called on key government and military officials including the 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.

It stated that matters of bilateral interests, global and regional security issues, and ongoing conflicts were discussed during the meetings. “Both sides agreed to continue engagement for exploring potential avenues of bilateral collaboration in pursuit of shared interests,” it added.

The ISPR said during the meetings with defence officials, counter-terrorism cooperation and defence collaboration were identified as core areas of cooperation. It said the leaders reiterated the intent to increase interaction and explore ways to expand the scope of mutually beneficial engagements.

The ISPR said the army chief underscored the importance of “understanding each other’s perspectives on regional security issues and developments affecting strategic stability in South Asia”. “In this context, the COAS especially highlighted the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with international law and relevant UNSC resolutions,” it added.

The statement maintained that General Syed Asim Munir interacted with the Pakistani overseas community during a reception hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan and appreciated the “positive role” being played by the Pakistani diaspora towards the country’s progress and development.