Australia and Pakistan has agreed to strengthen pragmatic relations in defence and security.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Pakistan High Commissioner Babar Amin and Alex Hawke, Assistant Defence Minister on Wednesday in Canberra.
During the meeting, cooperation between the two countries in the domain of defence and security was reviewed in detail. Expressing satisfaction over the longstanding cooperation in this area, it was agreed to further strengthen pragmatic interaction in certain specific fields.
Australia has a long-standing defence relationship with Pakistan. Australia-Pakistan 10th Defence and Security Talks were held in Canberra on 26 September 2019, where both sides reviewed the defence and security cooperation.
The High Commissioner invited Assistant Minister Hawke to visit Pakistan at the mutually convenient dates, which, was agreed in principle.
The High Commissioner also briefed the Assistant Minister on the situation in IOJ&K in backdrop of completion of one year of military siege, human rights violations, communication shutdown and humanitarian crisis. The Assistant Minister while taking note of the situation stated that Australia favoured a peaceful resolution of this issue.
Assistant Minister Hawke appreciated the role played by Pakistani Diaspora in Australia’s development and multicultural array.
Both sides agreed to continue working to further strengthen Pakistan-Australia bilateral relations, particularly, in the area of defence for mutual benefit.
