US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that a “true friendship” is emerging between Washington and Islamabad, crediting Pakistan’s leadership for assisting efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Iran.
Speaking at a question-and-answer session after his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, his remarks were later released on YouTube by the summit organiser, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Hegseth praised Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying they played a constructive role in peace negotiations related to the Iran conflict.
He described the development as an “unexpected development and a true friendship” between the United States and Pakistan.
The US defence chief also said the strengthening ties were reflected in President Donald Trump’s ability to help broker peace between India and Pakistan during their military confrontation last year.
Source: Al Jazeera