Pakistani naval chief, UAE counterpart discuss maritime cooperation in Dubai

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, held a meeting with the United Arab Emirates Navy chief and discussed cooperation in maritime affairs at Dubai Naval Headquarters on an official visit to the UAE, Pakistan Navy media wing said on Monday.
On Sunday, Admiral Abbasi held talks with UAE army chief and under-secretary of the defence ministry.
“On the second leg of visit he (Admiral Abbasi) will visit different units of UAE Navy,” Pakistan Navy said and added that the visit would “improve bilateral ties specially in the file of maritime affairs.”
Pakistan and UAE navies have maintained close relations over the decades and Pakistan Navy collaborates with its UAE counterparts on various professional issues including training exercises, provision of trained manpower and port visits by fleet units in line with their long-standing collaboration.
In February, a Pakistan Navy flotilla comprising navy ships TARIQ and HIMMAT visited Abu Dhabi to participate in a leading trade show, the International Defence Exhibition/ Naval Defence Exhibition.
In the same month, both navies conducted bilateral exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability between them.
“During two days exercise, a number of evolutions pertaining to Maritime Security Operations, Search and Rescue, maneuvering drills, Maritime Infrastructure Protection, Communication, and Warfare related exercise were undertaken,” Pakistan Navy had said after the joint exercise.