ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday lauded Kuwait's recent ratification of the defence cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in June 2023, calling it a key step towards strengthening bilateral security ties.
In response to media queries, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the agreement marks another important milestone in the longstanding defence partnership between the two brotherly countries, dating back to the early 1980s.
"It also reflects the shared resolve of both sides to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and elevate their security partnership," Andrabi added.
The ratification follows a series of high-level contacts between Kuwaiti and Pakistani civil and military officials in recent months aimed at expanding bilateral defence coordination.
In the statement today, FO Spokesperson Andrabi said that 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.
It will further enhance institutional linkages between the armed forces of both countries and consolidate the longstanding defence ties between the two nations, he added.
“Pakistan and Kuwait will continue to work closely to implement the agreement in accordance with its provisions, thereby expanding bilateral defence collaboration, strengthening their enduring defence partnership underpinned by mutual trust, shared interests, and close institutional cooperation, and contributing to regional peace, security and stability.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Kuwait and Pakistan signed Defence Cooperation Agreement on June 11, 2023.
The agreement also provides for cooperation in military manufacturing, electronic communications systems, scientific research, military media and cultural and sports activities.
Under the agreement, a joint military committee will oversee implementation, including the organisation of joint military exercises, official visits and other cooperative programs.
The pact will remain in force for five years and will be automatically renewed unless either side decides to terminate it. It also commits both countries to protecting confidential military information and resolving any disputes arising from the agreement through diplomatic channels.
The statement came after Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah held separate meetings with Pakistan's top civil and military leadership and discussed ways to enhance defence, economic partnership.
Earlier in the day, Kuwait's FM met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
During the meetings, matters of mutual interest, broader economic partnership, defence cooperation, trade, regional security and other issues were discussed. The two sides agreed to further institutionalise bilateral cooperation through enhanced institutional linkages and regular high-level exchanges.
The Kuwaiti FM thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
Pakistan and Gulf states have over the past year seen advantages to striking new regional defence pacts.
Pakistan maintains a large military and produces its own fighter jets. This has made it a possible alternative or addition to US protection among Gulf states, as they have grown more wary about the reliability of the US as an ally.
Separately, Riyadh and Islamabad signed a mutual defence pact in September 2025, committing both sides to treat any aggression against either country as an attack on both.
Recently, Iran's retaliatory strikes on US military bases in Gulf states following the US-Israeli attack prompted Gulf nations to seek alternative security arrangements.
— With additional input from Reuters
