Pakistan, Kuwait forge defence partnership

Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed Kuwait’s ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement, as the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in defence, trade, investment and other key sectors, with the visiting Kuwaiti foreign minister praising Islamabad’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.

The understandings were reached during the two-day official visit of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who held delegation-level talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and later met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi welcomed Kuwait’s ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement, describing it as another important milestone in a defence partnership dating back to the early 1980s.

He said the agreement provided a comprehensive institutional framework for expanding defence cooperation through military training and education, joint exercises, exchanges of expertise and other mutually agreed areas of collaboration.

The spokesperson said the pact would strengthen institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries and consolidate their longstanding defence partnership.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the agreement in accordance with its provisions to expand bilateral defence collaboration, strengthen the enduring defence partnership based on mutual trust, shared interests and close institutional cooperation, and contribute to regional peace, security and stability.

FM Dar

During delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar welcomed Kuwait’s ratification of the defence cooperation agreement signed in June 2023, describing it as a significant milestone in bilateral defence relations.

He said the agreement would strengthen institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries and further enhance defence cooperation. The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Kuwait.

The two ministers discussed ways to broaden cooperation in trade, investment, energy, labour, agriculture, information technology, health, mining and minerals, defence and the wider economic partnership. Dar underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to further deepen bilateral relations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding the mutually beneficial partnership across all sectors.

Both sides agreed to establish joint working groups on energy, trade and investment, agriculture and food security, information technology, education and health. They decided to hold periodic meetings to review the progress of these groups, ensure effective implementation of their decisions and strengthen institutional cooperation through regular high-level exchanges. They reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination at multilateral forums on issues of mutual interest.

The Kuwaiti foreign minister thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Kuwait during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situations in the Middle East and Palestine, with Sheikh Jarrah commending Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Meeting with PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with Kuwait and strongly condemned the attacks on Kuwait and other Gulf countries during the recent regional conflict while meeting the visiting foreign minister at the Prime Minister House.

The prime minister conveyed his best wishes to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, saying Pakistan and Kuwait had always stood by each other through thick and thin, bound by shared values and mutual trust.

Sheikh Jarrah conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Kuwaiti leadership and reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual benefit. He thanked Pakistan’s leadership and people for their steadfast support and solidarity with Kuwait during the difficult period.

Field Marshal

Sheikh Jarrah called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters, where both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security and measures to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s steadfast support, its constructive contribution to regional peace and stability, and the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two countries.

Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to Kuwait, emphasising that both nations shared a common vision for regional peace and prosperity.