Minister for Defence Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain met the President of Senegal, Mr. Macky Sall on 30 March 2016 in Dakar during his official visit to Senegal from 27-30 March 2016.

Minister for Defence Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain met the President of Senegal, Mr. Macky Sall on 30 March 2016 in Dakar during his official visit to Senegal from 27-30 March 2016. The other members of delegation, Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed, Chairman, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Maj. Gen. Tariq Ghafoor, along with Ambassador Mohammad Imran Mirza were also present.

President Macky Sall warmly welcomed the Minister and his delegation, and acknowledged the cordial and friendly relations that exist between the two countries. He fondly remembered his two meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New York and recently in Saudi Arabia, where the Prime Minister had graciously offered to assist Senegal in enhancing its defence capabilities. The Minister for Defence Production assured him of Pakistan’s full support to further strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries. He also extended cordial invitation to President Macky Sall, on behalf of the Prime Minister, to visit Pakistan, to which he responded positively.

The delegation, also held meetings with the Senegalese Foreign Minister, Mr. Mankeur Ndiaye, Minister for Armed Forces, Mr. Augustin Tine and Chief of Army General Staff, General Mamadou Sow (Air and Naval Chiefs were also in attendance). The discussions in these meetings mainly focused on exploring ways to enhance defence cooperation, increase trade and investment, improvement in agriculture sector, and possible scholarships to Senegalese students in various educational fields in Pakistan.

Senegalese Minister for Armed Forces, Mr. Augustin Tine also hosted a dinner for the visiting delegation, which was attended by senior civil and military officials of the three Services of Senegal.

The visit turned out to be very purposeful. It provided an opportunity for both sides to interact at the highest level which will pave way to enhance bilateral cooperation between Senegal and Pakistan.