ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Gen. Nadeem Raza has discussed bilateral defense ties with top Bahraini military officials during his trip to Manama, Bahrain’s state news agency reported on Tuesday.

Gen. Raza arrived in Bahrain on Sunday and was received by Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Field Marshal Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa.

On Tuesday, he met the chief of the National Guard, Gen. Mohammed bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the brother of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.

“The meeting discussed topics of common interest,” Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported. “The National Guard President stressed the advanced level of bilateral relations especially in the military field.”

Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Nadeem Raza (3rd from L) and accompanying delegation meets Bahrain's National Guard President General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa (4th from R) in Bahrain on Nov 23, 2021. (Bahrain News Agency)

BNA added that Gen. Raza expressed keenness to further develop bilateral cooperation.

The South Asian nation enjoys close ties with Bahrain, which is home to some 120,000 Pakistani expats.

A delegation of Bahrain’s Council of Representatives visited Islamabad last week. In a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, the visiting officials have agreed to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of trade and investment.

The prime minister also reaffirmed his country’s desire to forge closer ties with the kingdom and invited its leadership to Islamabad.