Pakistan Army Chief discussed defense and security cooperation with Japan’s Defense Minister
In a rare and significant development, Pakistan and Japan agreed to strengthen and diversify defense and security cooperation.
Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Japan’s Defense Minister, Mr. Taro Kono, discussed “matters of mutual interest, military to military ties, defense and security cooperation” in a videoconference on August 6, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Pakistan and Japan agreed to resume military staff level talks as soon as the COVID situation improves. The two sides also decided to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, especially in the fields of training, joint exercises and anti-piracy measures.
The officials decided to vigorously promote defense cooperation and exchanges while maintaining communication between the defense organizations.
Strengthened bilateral defense cooperation
Japanese Defense Minister Kono indicated the importance of both countries in maintaining seamless defense posture and continued and “strengthened bilateral defense cooperation to uphold and reinforce the free and open Indo-Pacific taking into consideration the implication of COVID-19”, according to a press release issued by the Japanese embassy.
Role of military in combatting COVID
Discussing the potential effects of the spread of COVID-19 on the country’s defense and organization, the two countries decided to share information, knowledge and lessons learned on the successful measures by the defense officials to defeat the pandemic.
The Japanese minister shared the activities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) at the cruise ship Diamond Princess, and precautionary measures at the airports to avoid community spread. He added that the prompt measured by Japan’s SDF that resulted in zero infections in the deployed members of the military.
Pakistan’s Army Chief General Bajwa explained the activities and measures initiated by Pakistan military and country’s successful fight against COVID-19. He also thanked Japan for providing assistance to Pakistan to cope with the locust crisis.
Japan appreciates Pakistan’s role for regional peace
The Japanese minister commended Pakistan’s role for regional peace and stability, especially the efforts of the Pakistan Army in battling the scourge of terrorism.