ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf concluded an official visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, during which he engaged with British defense, maritime and strategic institutions, the Pakistan High Commission in London said.
Ashraf held bilateral engagements with the British Royal Navy and the UK defense ministry leadership during his visit, the high commission said, and also met the commander of the NATO Allied Maritime Command.
The Pakistan navy chief, in a first, addressed the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London on the theme of Indian Ocean security and the need for a regional maritime security construct.
“The visit underscored Pakistan Navy’s growing stature as an active and consequential participant in international maritime security discourse and its commitment to deepening the Pakistan–United Kingdom bilateral relationship at the highest professional level,” the Pakistan High Commission wrote.
Pakistan Navy enjoys close ties with its British counterpart, with the former taking part in several bilateral sea exercises with the latter during the year.
The UK is among Pakistan’s largest bilateral development partners, with cooperation spanning education, health, climate resilience, governance reform and trade.
Pakistan attaches particular importance to its relations with the UK, as the country is home to one of the largest Pakistani diasporas, estimated at over 1.6 million people. These overseas Pakistanis contribute significantly to remittances, business and cultural links.
