ISLAMABAD: In a significant step to strengthen Pakistan’s military ties with the United States, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited Washington this week, marking the first such visit by a serving PAF chief in over a decade. The visit comes shortly after the army chief’s unprecedented trip to the U.S. and signals an increased focus on military cooperation between the two countries.
During his visit, Air Chief Sidhu held high-level meetings with U.S. military and political leadership, including Ms. Kelli L. Seybolt, Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs), and General David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, interoperability, and exploring joint training and technology exchange.
Sidhu highlighted the long-standing and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and the United States, particularly in defense and security cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining high-level military engagements and advancing military-to-military cooperation.
At the U.S. State Department, Sidhu met with Mr. Brown L. Stanley from the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and Mr. Eric Meyer from the Bureau of South & Central Asian Affairs. The meetings served to underscore Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional stability, its commitment to counterterrorism efforts, and its perspective on the evolving geopolitical dynamics of South and Central Asia.
In his interactions with U.S. Congress members, Sidhu reiterated Pakistan’s enduring sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism and outlined the country’s security strategies in response to the rapidly changing regional landscape. The visit also emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional ties between Pakistan’s Air Force and the U.S. Air Force.
The Air Chief’s visit also coincided with the arrival of South African Air Force Chief Lieutenant General Wiseman Simo Mbambo, who met with Sidhu in Islamabad. The discussions centered on enhancing training programs and strengthening ties between the South African and Pakistani Air Forces, particularly in aerial combat capabilities.
Sidhu’s visit signals a deepening of military relations, paving the way for greater collaboration on defense and security matters between Pakistan and the United States.
