Pakistan, Kuwait Deepen Defence Ties After Pact Ratification
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan welcomed Kuwait's ratification of a defence cooperation agreement signed in 2023, describing the development on Wednesday as an important step towards expanding military and security ties between the two countries. The announcement followed high-level meetings in Islamabad involving senior Pakistani officials and Kuwait's visiting foreign minister.
The Foreign Office said the agreement establishes a formal structure through which the two countries can broaden cooperation between their armed forces. Its provisions cover military training, professional education, joint exercises, exchanges of expertise and other areas that may be approved by both governments.
The framework also provides room for collaboration in military manufacturing, electronic communication systems, scientific research and defence-related media activities. A joint military committee is expected to oversee implementation, coordinate official visits and identify practical projects that can be undertaken under the agreement.
Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Tahir Andrabi described Kuwait's ratification as a significant milestone in a defence relationship that has developed over several decades. He said the move reflected a shared commitment to strengthening institutional links and building a security partnership based on mutual confidence and common interests.
The statement was issued after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Islamabad. Their discussions covered defence coordination, economic cooperation, trade, regional security and opportunities for more regular engagement between institutions in both countries.
The Kuwaiti foreign minister also held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan's senior military leadership during his visit. Pakistani officials said both sides wanted to deepen their wider relationship through sustained high-level contacts rather than limiting cooperation to occasional diplomatic exchanges.
The agreement was originally signed on June 11, 2023, at Kuwait's Ministry of Defence. Pakistan was represented by Ambassador Malik Muhammad Farooq, while Brigadier General Fawaz Khudair Muhammad Al-Harbi signed on behalf of Kuwait, completing the initial stage of a process that required formal approval before full implementation.
The pact is designed to remain effective for five years and may be renewed automatically unless either country decides otherwise. It also contains provisions for safeguarding confidential military information and resolving disagreements through diplomatic consultations, offering both governments a structured mechanism for managing sensitive cooperation.
For Pakistan, closer defence relations with Kuwait could create new opportunities for military training, defence exports, technical collaboration and strategic engagement with Gulf states. The relationship may also support broader discussions on energy security, investment and fuel infrastructure as Islamabad seeks stronger economic partnerships alongside traditional defence ties.
Attention will now shift to the joint committee and the specific programmes developed under the agreement. Future progress is likely to be measured through training exchanges, military visits, possible exercises and concrete industrial or technical projects, while both governments continue talks on expanding economic and regional-security cooperation.