ISLAMABAD: Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Dr. Muhammad Ali praised the Pakistan Navy’s contribution to regional maritime security as he held talks with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf in Islamabad, with the two sides reaffirming plans to expand naval cooperation through training, reciprocal visits and joint exercises.
According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Admiral Muhammad called on Admiral Ashraf at Naval Headquarters, where the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and bilateral naval cooperation.
“Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to enhance cooperation through training, reciprocal visits and joint naval exercises,” the statement said.
The visiting Indonesian Navy chief also “appreciated Pakistan Navy’s efforts toward regional maritime security,” according to ISPR, highlighting Jakarta’s recognition of Pakistan’s role in supporting maritime security in the region.
The engagement came amid broader efforts by Pakistan and Indonesia to deepen their longstanding defense relationship. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1950 and have developed cooperation spanning political, economic, trade, education, culture and defense. During Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s official visit to Pakistan in December 2025, both sides agreed to strengthen defense collaboration through high-level military engagement, defense-industrial cooperation, specialized training and exchanges between military training institutions.
Earlier this week, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Admiral Muhammad at a special investiture ceremony, recognizing his contribution to promoting relations between the two navies.
Speaking to the Indonesian Navy chief after the ceremony in Islamabad, President Zardari said Pakistan and Indonesia enjoyed “enduring and fraternal relations” and stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation between their navies, according to the Presidency.
President Zardari also highlighted the potential of the maritime economy, saying there was “immense potential in the blue economy and mutual development of the maritime sector” that needed to be harnessed.
He appreciated the Indonesian Navy’s regular participation in exercises organized by the Pakistan Navy, the Presidency said.
The award and the latest naval engagements underscore the growing emphasis on maritime cooperation within the wider Pakistan-Indonesia defense relationship.
The two countries agreed during President Prabowo’s 2025 visit to explore further defense-industry collaboration as well as maritime and aviation-related training.
The Indonesian admiral’s Pakistan engagements extended beyond Islamabad. During his visit to Karachi, Admiral Muhammad interacted with Pakistan Navy field commanders and the managing director of Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, while also visiting a Pakistan Navy fleet unit and the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center (JMICC), ISPR said.
The visit followed Admiral Muhammad’s meeting with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at GHQ on September 14. According to ISPR, the two discussed regional security and bilateral defense cooperation and expressed satisfaction with existing military-to-military relations.
The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation particularly in “professional training, defense collaboration and joint exercises,” ISPR said.
Admiral Muhammad also praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contributions toward regional peace and stability.