ISLAMABAD: Pakistani naval chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi is on an official visit to Bahrain to meet top military leaders of the kingdom and discuss bilateral defense cooperation, the Pakistan navy said on Tuesday.
Bahrain and Pakistan have strong and cordial ties. Bahrain maintains an embassy in Islamabad and a Consulate-General in Karachi, while Pakistan has an embassy in Manama.
Last week Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and spy chief Lt Gen Faiz Hamid also visited Bahrain and offered training and capacity building assistance for the kingdom’s defence forces.
The Pakistan navy said in a statement Admiral Niazi in separate meetings met with Commander-in-Chief Bahrain Defence Forces Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander Bahrain National Guard Major General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander Royal Bahrain Naval Forces Rear Admiral Mohammed Yousif Al Asam and Deputy Commander US NAVCENT Rear Admiral Curt Renshaw.
“Matters related to maritime security and bilateral defence collaborations were discussed,” the Pakistani statement said. “The Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan Navy’s initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrol and contributions of Pakistan Navy to maintain peace and order at Indian Ocean Region. The dignitaries greatly appreciated the role and contributions of Pakistan Navy in maintaining peace and stability in the region.”
Pakistan last month hosted the seventh biennial multinational “Aman” (peace) exercise in Pakistani waters aimed at fostering international cooperation to fight piracy, militancy and other crimes threatening maritime security. Around 45 navies, including those of the United States, Britain, China and several Arab nations took part in the Arabian Sea exercise with ships and observers.
