RAWALPINDI(National Times)- Pakistan and Kuwait reaffirmed the resolve to “consolidate their historic and brotherly relations into a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial defence partnership”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.
A Kuwaiti delegation led by Defence Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Saleem Al-Sabah met Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, ISPR said in a statement.
The Kuwaiti minister was accompanied by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Lt Gen Khaled Darj Saad Al-Shriaan.
The two sides discussed “matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral defence cooperation”, ISPR said.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing institutional ties and expanding mutually beneficial defence collaboration between the two brotherly countries.”
ISPR added that “the Kuwaiti delegation appreciated the professionalism, operational excellence and valuable contributions of the Pakistan Armed Forces towards regional peace and stability”.
The two sides discussed contributing to regional security and stability as well.
Pakistan and Kuwait also signed ‘Protocol Agreement 2026’, “significantly expanding bilateral military cooperation” under their 2023 Defence Cooperation Agreement, state-run Pakistan TV reported.
The pact was signed during a meeting between the Kuwait defence minister and his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif in Rawalpindi.
“Pakistan’s Armed Forces will assist Kuwait in training, capacity building, border management and other mutually agreed areas of defence cooperation,” Pakistan TV added.
The signing comes about a month after Kuwait ratified the 2023 agreement with Pakistan.
Days after the ratification, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah paid an official visit to Pakistan, where he met CDF Munir and discussed matters of mutual interest and regional security.
Sheikh Jarrah had expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s steadfast support and constructive contribution toward regional peace and stability.
During his visit, which was the first by a Kuwaiti foreign minister in more than five years, Sheikh Jarrah also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar.
There’s been a noticeable uptick in high-level contacts between the two countries over the past few months, including exchanges between senior military officials and discussions on expanding defence cooperation, as Kuwait broadened its security partnerships amid continuing volatility across the Gulf.
