Berkshire, 11 august 2022 (TDI): Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa went to the United Kingdom on an official visit to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).
General Bajwa will be attending the passing out parade as a chief guest in the Royal Military Academy. He will also be calling on the UK military leadership during his visit.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) arrived in UK on an official visit#COAS will be attending Passing out Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as the Chief Guest
COAS will also be calling on the UK military leadership#PakistanArmy #Pakistan #ISPR pic.twitter.com/oFKo7wuwrr
— Pakistan Armed Forces 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) August 11, 2022
Before leaving for the UK, Army Chief met the Commander Iraqi Navy Lieutenant General Ahmed Jasim Maarij Abdullah Al Zayid.
Pakistan and Britain’s military Ties
The cooperation between the British Army and the Pakistan Army began in the 1950s when the RMAS started to accept overseas cadets. At that time, Pakistan was allocated 39% of funding from the 1959 Commonwealth Military Training Assistance Scheme.
The alliance between the states goes back to the Cold War through the Central Treaty Organization. The UK considered the alliance crucial for limiting the spread of Soviet power in the area. Pakistan joined in out of the desire to gain economic cooperation with the West.
When British officers left India, they established Pakistan’s intelligence arm, the ISI, which still retains close ties to UK intelligence activities and agencies.
The establishment of close ties between the two countries through joint training and defense diplomacy affirm their shared values. Thus, it has the potential to encourage future cooperation to maintain those shared values.
Army Chief’s Meeting with Iraqi Navy Commander
Iraqi Navy Lieutenant called on General Bajwa on Wednesday, 10 August. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security issues, and measures to further enhance bilateral defense collaboration were discussed.
The COAS said that Pakistan values its relationship with Iraq and acknowledged sacrifices rendered by the Iraqi nation in fighting terrorism.
The army chief also said that terrorism is a global threat that has the potential of destabilizing the region. Therefore, they should give a well-coordinated response
The head of the Iraqi Navy commended the Pakistani Armed Forces for their professionalism. He expressed his sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in the Baluchistan chopper disaster.
He acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution to regional stability in addition to promising to strengthen military collaboration between the two armies.
