COAS, British defence chief emphasise importance of stability in South Asia

LONDON: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was greeted by Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Sir Nick Carter with a Guard of Honour on Thursday at the Horse Guards.

“They discussed shared UK-Pakistani interests and priorities and emphasised the importance of stability in South Asia and peace between the Afghan government and the Taliban,” Britain’s Ministry of Defence said in a Tweet. 

Earlier, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived in London, United Kingdom, the head of the military's media wing, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor, said.

The army chief is in London on an official visit during which he will meet the United Kingdom's civil and military leadership, the DG ISPR said in a tweet.

Last week, the army chief met the king of Jordan, Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussain, during his three-day visit to the country.

According to a press statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations on Tuesday, the king of Jordan expressed the desire to enhance cooperation between his country and Pakistan in multiple fields, including security, defence production, education and investment opportunities.

General Qamar Javed assured King Abdullah that Pakistan would welcome any positive initiatives with Jordan. Both the figures also discussed the regional security situation and bilateral cooperation.

King Abdullah awarded the medal titled ‘Order of the Military Merit’ to the Pakistani army chief in recognition of his services for improving defence and security relations between the two brotherly countries.