Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir has told think tanks and journalists in the United States that Pakistan strives to avoid becoming part of bloc politics and instead wants to develop itself as “a hub of connectivity and a gateway to Central Asia and beyond.”

The country seeks “balanced relationships with all friendly countries,” the COAS said as he engaged in ‘candid’ discussions, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistan military.

General Syed Asim Munir is on a week-long visit to the United States and has toured Washington, New York and Tampa where he met with key political and military officials including the secretary of state and secretary of defence.

During his visit, the COAS “engaged in a candid discourse with members of prominent US think tanks and media,” the ISPR said in a statement on Wednesday.

The COAS put across Pakistan’s perspective on regional security, transnational terrorism and the importance of maintaining strategic stability in South Asia, the statement added.

“The COAS said that Pakistan is a country of consequence both from geopolitical and geoeconomic perspective and wishes to develop itself as a hub of connectivity and a gateway to Central Asia and beyond, however, [it] eschews Bloc Politics and believes in maintaining balanced relationships with all friendly countries.

“The COAS highlighted that Pakistan desires to broaden bilateral engagement with the U.S through long term multi domain partnership.”

Gen Munir underscored that his interactions with political and military leadership have been “very positive and forward looking for further strengthening the relationship,” according to the ISPR.

The COAS also highlighted that Pakistan has stood as a bulwark against transnational terrorism for decades to ensure regional stability and global peace and security.

It has made unparalleled contributions and sacrifices in its enduring fight against terrorism and will continue to fight till the logical end, in line with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan, the COAS said.

Gen Munir also stressed the need for resolution of the Kashmir Issue as per the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and the UNSC Resolutions.

He said, “Kashmir is an internationally accepted dispute and no unilateral action can alter the nature of this dispute against the wishes of millions of people of the area.”

The COAS also emphatically highlighted the immediate need for ending the sufferings in Gaza, provision of humanitarian assistance and implementation of two-state solution for enduring peace in the region.

Earli, COAS was received by the Ambassador of Pakistan to the US on arrival.