ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani and UAE military have discussed ways to enhance defense ties and engagement during Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Nadeem Raza’s visit to Abu Dhabi this week, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.
Gen. Raza met with UAE Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al-Rumaithi on Monday as he visited the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) and Naval Defense & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) in Abu Dhabi. He also held separate meetings with other UAE chiefs of tri-services.
The Pakistani and UAE military leaders discussed measures to “enhance the level and scope of military engagements between both countries and reaffirmed to continue to forge deeper strategic ties,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“During the meetings, both sides deliberated upon various areas of interest, bilateral cooperation including security, counterterrorism and prevailing regional environment particularly with reference to Kashmir and Afghanistan.”
As Gen. Raza visited Pakistani stalls and naval ships at the two defense technology exhibitions, he welcomed the efforts of IDEX and NAVADEX in “showcasing Pakistan’s indigenously manufactured defense related equipment at global level,” ISPR said.
Pakistan has been seeking to enhance defense ties with the Gulf country under the UAE’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes developing the aviation, aerospace and defense sectors to transform its economy by putting a greater focus on knowledge-based industries.