NDU delegation’s visit to Washington D.C
Pakistan and the United States are engaged on a broad-based agenda to strengthen their relationship in all spheres including defence cooperation. This was stated by the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Sardar Masood Khan while briefing a 15-member delegation of National Defense University (NDU) of Pakistan visiting the US on a Foreign Study Tour.
The NDU delegation, comprising senior officers from Pakistan’s Armed Forces and Civil Service and allied officers from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, visited the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC today.
“While promoting military-to-military and security cooperation, equal importance is being given to expand ties in the trade, investment, climate, health, energy and education sectors,” he said.
“There is immense connectivity between Pakistan and United States spanning 75 years, our shared objective is to maximize its full potential,” added Ambassador Masood Khan.
Welcoming the delegation, the Ambassador hailed the visit as an “ice breaker” after a three-year hiatus in such visits due to Covid pandemic. He gave a detailed briefing to the delegation on the history and current status of Pakistan-US bilateral relations as well as Pakistan’s perspective on important regional and global issues.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that while Pakistan and the US will continue to work on the shared objectives of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and averting humanitarian crisis in the country, they are also working on providing a solid base to the bilateral relationship by tapping the immense potential in the economic, trade, Defense, education, IT, climate change, energy and cultural fields.
The Ambassador added that “The longstanding Pakistan-US relations are cemented by the dynamic Pakistani American diaspora, would be further strengthened by investment in the tech, agriculture and health sectors.”
The Ambassador underlined the urgent need for proactive diplomacy to resolve the ongoing Ukraine crisis. The humanitarian crisis, deteriorating by the day has become a global crisis for which a collective response is required on the purposes and principles of United Nation’s Charter, Masood Khan said.
The briefing was followed by an interactive session during which the Ambassador answered questions from delegation members on a wide range of issues.
Responding to a question he said, “Pakistan has always worked for creating conditions for peace and stability in the region. For that purpose, it would be imperative to resolve outstanding issues on the basis of international law and justice.”
During their weeklong stay in Washington DC, the NDU delegation will visit various US defense and civil institutions.
Washington D.C, June 13, 2022.
