PAF Chief’s Landmark Visit to U.S. Reinforces Defence Ties and Strategic Cooperation

In a major diplomatic and military development, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu conducted a high-level official visit to the United States, marking the first such trip by a serving PAF air chief in over a decade. The visit, aimed at reinforcing bilateral defence cooperation and addressing evolving regional security dynamics, included meetings with top U.S. military and political officials.

According to the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR), the air chief’s engagements in Washington represent a strategic milestone in Pakistan-U.S. relations, especially in military-to-military cooperation. At the Pentagon, he held discussions with Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Kelli L. Seybolt and Chief of Staff General David W. Allvin. The talks focused on joint training, enhanced interoperability, and technology exchange. Air Marshal Sidhu reaffirmed the long-standing defence partnership between the two nations and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding collaboration across various operational and training platforms.

In addition to Pentagon meetings, the air chief visited the U.S. State Department, meeting with senior officials including Brown L. Stanley and Eric Meyer. Discussions centred around regional peace, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, and geopolitical stability in South and Central Asia. The air chief emphasised Pakistan’s evolving strategic outlook and its role in maintaining regional balance.

At Capitol Hill, Air Marshal Sidhu engaged with influential U.S. lawmakers such as Congressmen Mike Turner, Rich McCormick, and Bill Huizenga. These interactions helped reinforce defence and diplomatic engagement, providing Pakistan a platform to communicate its perspectives on regional security challenges and technological advancements impacting defence frameworks.

The DGPR highlighted that these meetings reinforced institutional linkages and paved the way for sustained strategic dialogue. The visit follows a historic development last month when Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House — the first direct meeting of its kind. Both visits signify a new phase of bilateral engagement based on mutual defence interests and strategic alignment.

The air chief reiterated Pakistan’s sacrifices in the global war on terror and its commitment to peace, stating that such military exchanges are vital for deepening trust and enhancing future cooperation.