Pakistan welcomes Kuwait's defense pact ratification as foreign ministers meet

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed Kuwait's ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement, describing it as a significant milestone in the longstanding defense partnership between the two countries, as Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held wide-ranging talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in Islamabad.

According to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Dar welcomed Kuwait's ratification of the agreement, signed in June 2023, saying it "marks an important milestone in bilateral defense relations and will further strengthen institutional linkages between the Armed Forces of the two countries while enhancing defense cooperation."

The 2023 Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement, recently ratified by Kuwait, provides a comprehensive institutional framework for expanding military cooperation between the two countries. According to the Foreign Office, the agreement builds on a defense partnership dating back to the early 1980s and covers military training and education, joint exercises, exchanges of expertise and other mutually agreed areas of collaboration. The Foreign Office said the agreement will strengthen institutional linkages between the armed forces of both countries, consolidate longstanding defense ties and contribute to regional peace, security and stability.

The ratification coincided with a series of high-level meetings of Kuwait's foreign minister with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, in Islamabad. According to official statements, the engagements reflected the broadening Pakistan-Kuwait partnership, with both sides pledging closer cooperation in defense, trade, investment, energy, information technology, agriculture, education, health and regional diplomacy.

During their delegation-level talks, Dar and Sheikh Al-Sabah reaffirmed the "strong and fraternal ties" between Pakistan and Kuwait, rooted in shared history, common values and mutual respect, and reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations.

The two ministers agreed to establish Joint Working Groups on energy, trade and investment, agriculture and food security, information technology, education and health to accelerate bilateral cooperation. They also agreed to meet periodically to review progress and ensure the timely implementation of initiatives in these sectors.

The foreign ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination at multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

Separately, PM Sharif received Sheikh Al-Sabah and reaffirmed Pakistan's "full solidarity with the leadership and people of Kuwait" while strongly condemning attacks on Kuwait and other brotherly Gulf countries during the recent regional conflict, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

The prime minister said Pakistan was "playing its part as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator in the regional peace efforts" and thanked Kuwait's leadership for supporting those efforts.

He also reiterated Pakistan's commitment to expanding cooperation with Kuwait in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, information technology, maritime affairs and human resource development. The prime minister appreciated Kuwait for hosting the Pakistani community and acknowledged its contribution to Kuwait's socio-economic development.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, Sheikh Al-Sabah conveyed greetings from the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan across areas of mutual interest.

The Kuwaiti foreign minister also expressed appreciation for the contributions of PM Sharif, FM Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir in advancing dialogue and diplomacy aimed at helping resolve the current regional crisis and restore peace. He thanked Pakistan's leadership and people for their solidarity and steadfast support for Kuwait during the difficult period.

Both sides agreed to maintain close consultations on issues of mutual interest and exchange high-level delegations. Prime Minister Shehbaz also reiterated his invitation to the Crown Prince of Kuwait to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.

Earlier, Sheikh Al-Sabah called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security and measures to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

ISPR said the visiting foreign minister appreciated "Pakistan's steadfast support, its constructive contribution toward regional peace and stability and the deep-rooted fraternal ties shared between the two nations."

Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to its partnership with Kuwait, saying both countries "share a common vision for regional peace and prosperity."

In a separate statement issued later in the day, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad welcomed Kuwait's ratification of the agreement as "another important milestone in the longstanding defense partnership between the two brotherly countries, dating back to the early 1980s."

The spokesperson said the agreement "provides a comprehensive institutional framework for expanding defence cooperation, encompassing military training and education, joint exercises, exchanges of expertise, and other mutually agreed areas of collaboration."

He added that Pakistan and Kuwait would continue implementing the agreement "thereby expanding bilateral defense collaboration, strengthening their enduring defense partnership underpinned by mutual trust, shared interests, and close institutional cooperation, and contributing to regional peace, security and stability."