Pakistan’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, has travelled to the United States to strengthen defence ties, just weeks after Army Chief General Asim Munir’s trip to Washington.
This marks the first visit by a serving Pakistani Air Force (PAF) chief to the US in over a decade, indicating a renewed focus on bilateral military cooperation and strategic dialogue between the two countries.
What is the significance of Sidhu’s visit to the US?
According to a statement by the Pakistan Air Force, “The Chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, paid an official visit to the US, the first visit by any serving Air Chief of the Pakistan Air Force in over a decade, which will further enhance bilateral defence cooperation and mutual interests.”
The visit comes at a time of complex regional dynamics and evolving military technologies. It also follows a similarly high-profile visit by Pakistan’s army chief to the US, which included meetings with President Donald Trump. Together, these back-to-back engagements suggest an effort by Pakistan’s military establishment to reposition its relations with Washington after a period of relative quiet.
Who did Air Chief Marshal Sidhu meet during his visit?
During his official engagements, Sidhu held meetings with key figures in the US military and political leadership. These included:
- Kelly L Seybolt, US Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs
- General David W Elon, US Air Force Chief of Staff
- Members of the US Congress including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick, and Bill Heizenga
According to Pakistan’s Director General of Public Relations (DGPR), Sidhu’s discussions explored ways to advance military-to-military cooperation, including “areas for training and technology exchange.” The meetings also allowed Pakistan to articulate its views on regional security and the impact of emerging technologies on the defence landscape.
The DGPR stated the visit also aimed at “boosting the defence cooperation between the two nations and advancing mutual interests.”
What do back-to-back visits by FM Asim Munir, ACM Zaheer Sidhu mean?
Sidhu’s trip follows Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent US visit, during which the army chief was hosted by President Donald Trump. In that meeting, Munir reportedly thanked Trump “for not going to war with India” following recent hostilities.
The backdrop to these visits includes a series of events that have tested regional stability. Just before Munir’s arrival, Trump had spoken by phone with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Indian readouts, Modi made it clear that India would “never accept” mediation and that dialogue between Indian and Pakistani military officials on cessation of hostilities was initiated “at Islamabad’s request.”
Notably, Munir’s visit was also marked by protests from overseas Pakistanis in Washington, where demonstrators gathered outside his event, chanting slogans like “Pakistanio ke Qatil,” “Mass Murderer Asim Munir,” and “Asim Munir, your time is up. Pakistan will rise.” These slogans highlighted internal dissent and discontent with the military’s political role back home.
India has invested years in successfully breaking free from the Cold War-era hyphenation with Pakistan in Washington’s strategic calculus. However, the recent spate of high-level Pakistani military visits to the US risks undermining this progress.
If the US engages with Pakistan’s military establishment in ways that appear to legitimise or overlook its recent cross-border aggression, it could dilute India’s strategic messaging. More worryingly, such engagements may bolster domestic narratives within Pakistan that portray this diplomatic outreach as evidence of parity with India, a perception New Delhi has consistently and deliberately worked to dismantle.