The United States administration has stated that it looked forward to working with Pakistan on regional security and defence cooperation while describing the South Asian country as a ‘major non-NATO ally’.

“Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally of the United States and a NATO partner,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a weekly press briefing on Monday.

He was responding to a query pertaining to details of the meeting of General Syed Asim Munir and the spymaster with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

COAS Munir left for the US on December 10. Munir succeeded Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as the military chief on November 29, 2022 at the change of command ceremony at the Army Hockey Stadium, close to the GHQ in Rawalpindi.

The army chief called on key US government and military officials during his ongoing visit to the US including, Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, General Llyod J Austin (retd), the secretary of defence, Victoria Nuland, the deputy secretary of state, Jonathan Finer, the deputy national security adviser and General Charles Q Brown, the chairman of joint chiefs of staff.

Matters of bilateral interests, global and regional security issues, and ongoing conflicts were discussed during the meetings.

Miller said he does not have any specific readout. He added that the army chief was in Washington to meet with a number of officials, including officials here at the State Department, including officials at the Pentagon and elsewhere.

After praising ties with Pakistan, he said: “We look forward to partnering with them on regional security and defense cooperation, and that’s the – what was the substance of the meetings last — “

When asked about those who are trying to disrupt political system in Pakistan, the State Department spokesperson stated that the US supported free and fair elections in Pakistan.

“That is the – and engage with Pakistan on a bilateral basis to discuss our support for free and fair elections,” he said and reiterated that the country does not take sides while speaking about Pakistan’s politics and they would engage with elected representatives.

“As I’ve said before, we don’t take a position as it comes to – when it comes to political parties in Pakistan, and we will engage with the leaders that the Pakistani people select,” Miller said.

Last week, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj Gen Pat Ryder said that Pakistan was an important partner in the region. He added that the administration stayed in close contact with the country when it comes to issues like counter-terrorism.

In his visit, COAS Munir also met with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and stressed the need for UN-led efforts for Gaza ceasefire.

He highlighted that “enduring solution to the issue lies in two-state solution” as the Israel’s assault in response to Hamas’s October 7 attack has killed around 19,000 people.

He had also discussed the Kashmir issue with the UN chief and said that peace in South Asia would remain elusive until a peaceful solution to the longstanding dispute.

In his interaction with overseas Pakistani community, the COAS dispelled rumours about special screening, denial of visas and detentions.