COAS Asim Munir leaves for the US on first official visit

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir leaves for the United States of America (US) on his first official visit. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed General Asim left for Washington yesterday Dec 10, 2023.

ISPR said in a statement that this is the first travel of General Asim Munir to the US as COAS. General Asim will meet senior US military and government officials during this visit.

Army chief leaves for first official visit to US
This is General Munir's first visit to the US as COAS
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— Aaj TV English (@AajNewsEnglish) December 11, 2023

The visit of COAS Asim came a day after the end-of-the-day visit of Thomas West to Pakistan. Thomas is a US Special Representative for Afghanistan. He expressed Washington’s determination to stand with Pakistan in its battle against terrorism and the difficulties posed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

۲/۲ متحده ایالتونه په سیمه کې د ترهګرۍ پر ضد د پاکستان ترڅنګ دریږي. له نړیوالو سازمانونو سره د همکارۍ او د انساني او باعزته چلند په ګډون، د کډوالو د خوندیتوب مسایلو په تړاو له اسلام آباد سره په نږدې اړیکو منندوی یو.
— U.S. Special Representative Thomas West (@US4AfghanPeace) December 9, 2023

Another senior US official and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Horst is also visiting Pakistan. Although it is unclear whether she spoke with the army chief before he left for the United States.

What drives General Asim’s visit to the US?

Gen Asim’s visit would refocus the bilateral relationship between the two countries. This high-level visit aims to expand bilateral ties by allowing both parties to discuss and improve cooperation in defense, security, counterterrorism, and regional stability. The military leader Asim will meet the US Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and National Security Adviser.

COAS Asim Munir leaves for the US on first official visit

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It is important to note that the army chief has met with several US officials since taking office. He met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in October. General Asim and Defense Minister Lloyd talked about mutual interests and current regional developments.

The meeting between US Central Command Chief General Michael Erik Kurilla and General Asim took place in July 2023. General Michael acknowledged the efforts of Pakistan for regional peace and stability.

There are speculations focused on the army chief’s team and his meetings in Washington since the brief note of ISPR came that General Asim had left Islamabad. Many are assuming the chief visit is part of Pakistan’s efforts to restore its strained relations with the US in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s “American conspiracy” narrative.