Pakistan and Kuwait agree to strengthen cooperation across key sectors

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday welcomed the ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait defense cooperation agreement during a meeting with Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

“FM Dar welcomed Kuwait’s recent ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait defense cooperation agreement signed in June 2023, noting that the agreement marked an important milestone in bilateral defense relations and will further strengthen institutional links between the armed forces of the two countries while strengthening defense cooperation,” a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) said.

FM Jarrah arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on a two-day official visit aimed at reviewing the full spectrum of Pakistan-Kuwait relations. FM Dar received his Kuwaiti counterpart in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

FO spokesman Tahir Andrabi said the development reflected “the joint decision of both sides to further strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and elevate their security partnership”.

He said the agreement provided a comprehensive institutional framework to expand defense cooperation, comprehensive military training and education, joint exercises, exchange of expertise and other mutually agreed areas of cooperation. It would further consolidate the longstanding defense ties between Pakistan and Kuwait, he added.

“Pakistan and Kuwait will continue to work closely together to implement the agreement in accordance with its provisions, thereby expanding bilateral defense cooperation, strengthening their enduring defense partnership underpinned by mutual trust, common interests and close institutional cooperation, and contributing to regional peace, security and stability.”

The 27th of July Anadolu Agency reported that Kuwait had ratified a broad defense cooperation agreement with Pakistan, three years after it was signed, according to the country’s official gazette.

The agreement was approved and published on Sunday in the Statstidende, Kuwait Al-Youmformalizing a defense pact signed by the two countries in June 2023, Kuwait Times reported.

The agreement establishes a framework for military cooperation between the Kuwaiti and Pakistani armed forces, covering military training, education, intelligence sharing, logistics, defense technology, research and exchange of expertise, to strengthen institutional military ties between the two countries.

It also allows for cooperation in military manufacturing, electronic communication systems, scientific research, military media, and cultural and sporting activities.

Under the agreement, a joint military committee will oversee implementation, including organizing joint military exercises, official visits and other cooperation programs.

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The pact will remain in effect for five years and will be automatically renewed unless either party decides to terminate it. It also commits both countries to protect confidential military information and resolve any disputes that may arise in connection with the agreement through diplomatic channels.

The ratification follows a series of high-level contacts between Kuwaiti and Pakistani military officials in recent months aimed at expanding bilateral defense coordination.

The agreement comes as Kuwait continues to deepen security cooperation with international partners amid increased regional security challenges in the Gulf.

Kuwait has been among several Gulf countries targeted by Iranian missile and drone strikes during the latest regional escalation. Tehran has said the attacks targeted US military facilities hosted by the Gulf states, while Kuwaiti authorities said their air defenses intercepted projectiles that entered the country’s airspace.

Dar-FM Jarrah meeting

The FO further added that during their meeting, the two foreign ministers reaffirmed the strong and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Kuwait, rooted in shared history, common values ​​and mutual respect.

“They reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed ways to further expand and deepen cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, investment, energy, information technology, agriculture and economic cooperation,” the statement said.

The ministry said FM Dar emphasized the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to further strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two countries.

“The two foreign ministers agreed to establish joint working groups in key areas of bilateral cooperation, including energy, trade and investment, agriculture and food security, information technology, education and health,” the FO said.

According to the statement, both ministers further agreed to meet periodically to review the progress of these working groups, ensure effective follow-up on their work and provide guidance for timely implementation in order to promote bilateral cooperation.

The statement said the two ministers “agreed to further institutionalize bilateral cooperation through enhanced institutional links and regular high-level exchanges”.

It further added that both ministers also “reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and cooperation in multilateral fora on issues of common interest”.

During the meeting, Kuwait’s foreign minister thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the “warm welcome and gracious hospitality” extended to him and his delegation. He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FM Dar, for his part, “reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep commitment to its long-standing brotherly relations with Kuwait” and underlined Islamabad’s desire “to further expand the mutually beneficial partnership across all areas of cooperation”.

“The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East and Palestine, while Sheikh Jarrah praised Pakistan’s “constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability,” the ministry said.

PM Shehbaz affirms full solidarity with Kuwait amid attacks in meeting with FM Jarrah

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with the leadership and people of Kuwait and strongly condemned the attacks during the Middle East conflict in his meeting with FM Jarrah.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister called on Prime Minister Shehbaz today at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.

“The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with the leadership and people of Kuwait and strongly condemned the attacks on Kuwait and other fraternal Gulf countries during the ongoing conflict,” the statement said.

He stated that Pakistan was playing its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator in the regional peace efforts and thanked the Kuwaiti leadership for their support to these efforts.

“During the cordial meeting, the Prime Minister warmly welcomed the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and conveyed his best wishes to the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah,” it said.

The statement added that the Prime Minister observed that the two brotherly countries had always stood together through thick and thin.

The PMO said the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of ties and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen cooperation with Kuwait in various fields including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, information technology, maritime affairs and human resource development.

“He also appreciated the Kuwaiti government for generously hosting the Pakistani community and acknowledged its valuable contribution to Kuwait’s socio-economic development,” it added.

The statement said the Kuwaiti foreign minister conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Kuwaiti leadership to the prime minister and reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across areas for mutual benefit.

“He also expressed deep appreciation for the valuable contributions of Pakistan, particularly by Prime Minister Shehbaz, FM Dar and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in promoting dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the current crisis and restore peace in the region,” the statement read.

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FM Jarrah further thanked the leadership and people of Pakistan for their solidarity and steadfast support to Kuwait in these difficult times.

“The two sides emphasized the importance of continued consultation and coordination on issues of common interest, particularly in the bilateral context, and agreed to exchange delegations in the near future to take these discussions forward,” the PMO statement added.

The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to the Crown Prince of Kuwait to pay an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.

CDF Munir reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to Kuwait

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Kuwaiti FM also met CDF Munir at the headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The statement said that during the meeting, issues of mutual interest, regional security and steps to further strengthen bilateral cooperation were discussed.

“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 nations,” the statement said.

CDF Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to Kuwait and emphasized that both countries share a common vision for regional peace and prosperity.