COAS discusses prevailing standoff between Pakistan-India with top US, UK commanders

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday held a telephonic conversation with top military commanders of the US, UK and Australia as well as Islamabad-based foreign diplomats to discuss the prevailing standoff between Pakistan and India.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief contacted General Joseph L. Votel, Commander US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Angus Campbell, Chief of the Defence Force Australia and ambassadors of the US, UK and China.

“Prevailing standoff between Pakistan & India & its impact on peace & stability in the region & beyond discussed,” the military’s media wing said, quoting COAS as saying, “Pak[istan] shall surely respond to any aggression in self defence.”

Earlier on Thursday, United States (US) Secretary of State Michael Pompeo had said that Washington was in constant touch with both Pakistan and India for de-escalation of recent tensions.

Speaking to reporters, travelling with him from Hanoi, Vietnam to Manila in the Philippines, Pompeo expressed hopes to “take down the tensions” following his telephonic conversation with leaders of both countries.

He claimed that he exchanged “good information” from either sides.

The United States will continue to be engaged with the issue between Pakistan and India, he assured. “I encouraged each country to not take any action that would escalate and create increased risk,” Pompeo said detailing about his phone conversation.