Defence cooperation dominates meeting between Raheel Sharif, US officials

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, has held meetings with top US defence officials at the Pentagon wherein military cooperation between the two nations dominated the talks.

Sharif yesterday met US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter and Deputy Secretary of Defence Robert O. Work, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Gen Joseph Dunford, Army Chief of Staff Gen Mark Milley and Centcom (Central Command) chief Gen Lloyd Austin, according to a series of tweets posted by Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa, the Dawn reported.

The measures to strengthen military-to-military relations and regional security were part of the discourse. An increase in Tactical Reconnaissance Group (TRG) exchanges was also discussed.

Earlier, General Sharif discussed bilateral defence relations and regional security in his meeting with Defence Secretary Ashton Carter.

During the meeting, the US Defence Secretary appreciated Pakistan's contribution and sacrifices in fighting war on terror and acknowledged the effects of successful counter terrorism operations.

Earlier on Monday, the Army Chief met CIA chief John Brennan to discuss security challenges facing the region and the way forward to confront the same.