Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir met UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York on Friday to articulate Pakistan’s concerns regarding the situations in Indian-held Kashmir and Afghanistan, according to diplomatic sources.
Expressing particular unease over the Indian Supreme Court’s approval of the merger of occupied Kashmir, Pakistan urged the UN to uphold its commitment to facilitating a plebiscite for Kashmiris to determine their future. Additionally, Pakistan voiced alarm over an upswing in militant attacks, seeking international support to quell what it termed “cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan.”
Following discussions with top US officials in Washington, Gen Munir arrived in New York before proceeding to Tampa, Florida, for talks with General Michael E. Kurilla, the commander of the US Central Command.
An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement highlighted Gen Munir’s engagements with key US figures, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense General Lloyd J. Austin, Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer, and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown. The talks covered bilateral interests, global and regional security concerns, and ongoing conflicts, with a mutual commitment to sustained engagement and exploration of collaborative avenues.
Counter-terrorism cooperation and defense collaboration took center stage during these discussions, emphasizing increased interaction and expanded beneficial engagements. Gen Munir underscored the imperative of addressing the Kashmir issue in alignment with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The ISPR statement conveyed a consensus on critical matters and a shared commitment to resolving them through diplomatic means. Gen Munir engaged with overseas Pakistanis at a reception hosted by the Pakistan Embassy, commending their positive contributions and urging investment through the Special Investment Facilitation Council. He also highlighted the United States as Pakistan’s largest export market, dispelling rumors about visa issues and detentions.
As the initial leg of his visit concludes, the diplomatic landscape between Pakistan and the US appears poised for enhanced collaboration. The discussions solidified bilateral ties and set the stage for continued dialogue on pressing regional and global issues.