After Asim Munir, Pakistan's Air Force Chief Lands In US To Strengthen Defence Ties

Last Updated:July 03, 2025, 17:51 IST

Pakistan's Chief of the Air Staff, Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, arrived on an official visit to the US to step up military engagements after Asim Munir's visit.

Pakistan Air Force Chief Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu. (Image: X)

Pakistan’s Chief of the Air Staff, Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, arrived on an official visit to the United States to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation after Army Chief Asim Munir undertook a similar tour recently.

“The Chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, paid an official visit to the US, the first visit by any serving Air Chief of the Pakistan Air Force in over a decade, which will further enhance bilateral defence cooperation and mutual interests," the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said in a statement on Thursday.

This is the first visit by a serving PAF chief in over a decade, a signal of increased military engagements between the US and Pakistan. Sidhu also held several meetings with top military and political leadership of the country, including US Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Kelly L Seybolt and Air Force Chief of Staff General David W Elon.

What’s On Sidhu’s Agenda?

Sidhu’s visit is aimed at boosting the defence cooperation between the two nations and advancing mutual interests, according to Pakistan’s Director General of Public Relations. He also discussed ways to advance bilateral military ties and explore areas for training and technology exchange with US officials.

The meetings with the military and political leadership offered the Pakistan Air Force chief an opportunity to share his country’s views on strategic challenges, regional security framework and the impact of emerging technologies on defence cooperation, as per the DGPR.

During the detailed discussions, the two sides also agreed to establish high-level military relations in the future. He also held important meetings with prominent members of the US Congress, including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick, and Bill Heizenga.

Asim Munir’s Meeting With Trump

Sidhu’s visit came weeks after Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir visited the US and was hosted by US President Donald Trump, whom he thanked for not going to war with India.

Hours before he hosted Munir, Trump held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wherein PM Modi firmly stated that India does not and will “never accept" mediation and that the discussions between Indian and Pakistani militaries on cessation of military actions were initiated at Islamabad’s request.

Overseas Pakistanis had protested against Field Marshal Asim Munir outside an event at a hotel in Washington, DC. People shouted slogans “Pakistanio ke Qatil" and “Islamabad ke Qatil", “Mass Murderer Asim Munir", “Democracy dies when guns speak", “Asim Munir, your time is up. Pakistan will rise" while he was being welcomed at the event.

(with agency inputs)

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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News world After Asim Munir, Pakistan's Air Force Chief Lands In US To Strengthen Defence Ties