Daily Times

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi is on official visit to Bahrain. During the visit, the Naval Chief met Commander-in-Chief Bahrain Defence Forces Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Commander US Naval Forces Central Command 5th Fleet Vice Admiral James Malloy and Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 Commodore Darren Garnier of Royal Canadian Navy in separate meetings.

During meeting with Commander-in-Chief Bahrain Defence Forces Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, matters of mutual interest including defence related collaborations were discussed. The Naval Chief also briefed the dignitary regarding forthcoming Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN-19 which is being hosted by Pakistan Navy at Karachi in February 2019. Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa acknowledged strong ties between Pakistan and Bahrain while appreciating PN efforts and focused commitments in support of collaborative maritime security in the region and extending cooperation in diverse fields to Bahrain Defence Forces.

Commander US NAVCENT and Commander Bahrain Navy appreciated the professionalism of Pakistan Navy for maritime security and stability in the region respectively

Upon his arrival at US NAVCENT Headquarters, the Admiral was warmly received by Vice Admiral James Malloy. During the meeting, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi dilated upon matters of mutual interest including bilateral naval collaboration and initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrol by Pakistan Navy. The Naval Chief highlighted the forthcoming Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN-19 which is being hosted by Pakistan Navy at Karachi in February 2019. Commander US NAVCENT highly appreciated the professionalism of Pakistan Navy personnel and active role being played by Pakistan Navy for maritime security and stability in the region. He further acknowledged that the regular presence of Pakistan Navy units in critical Sea areas of the region has greatly helped in shaping a secure environment for free flow of commercial shipping activities through vital sea lines of communication.

Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 Commodore Darren Garnier of Royal Canadian Navy also called on Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. During the meeting professional matters of mutual interest and security environment in Indian Ocean Region were discussed.

The commander of Royal Bahrain Naval Force also commended the services of the Pakistan Navy in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The visit of the Naval chief will strengthen the bilateral ties between the maritime forces of either countries, the Naval spokesperson added.

Published in Daily Times, January 24^th 2019.