Pakistan and Kuwait on Wednesday discussed ways to strengthen defence and economic ties, while agreeing to institutionalise bilateral collaboration through closer institutional linkages and regular high-level exchanges.
The development emerged during delegation-level talks, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The talks discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, labour, agriculture, information technology, health, mining and minerals, defence, and the broader economic partnership.
The two sides agreed to further institutionalise bilateral cooperation through enhanced institutional linkages and regular high-level exchanges.
Pakistan and the Kuwaiti delegations also reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and cooperation at multilateral forums on issues of mutual interest.
The Kuwaiti FM thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
He also expressed appreciation for Islamabad’s support to Kuwait during the Covid-19 pandemic.
DPM Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep commitment to its longstanding brotherly relations with Kuwait and underscored Pakistan’s desire to further expand the mutually beneficial partnership across all areas of cooperation.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, including the situation in the Middle East and Palestine.
The Kuwaiti FM also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
The talks followed a bilateral meeting between DPM Dar and the Kuwaiti FM, where they discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East.
The Kuwaiti FM — who arrived in the country on Tuesday — called on DPM Dar at the MoFA, where they reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations.
During the meeting, they reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding brotherly partnership.
“They also held in-depth discussions on regional and international developments, with particular focus on the evolving situation in the Middle East,” the FO said.
The Kuwaiti delegation’s visit comes days after Reuters reported, citing five sources familiar with the talks, that Pakistan has been negotiating an expanded defence pact with Kuwait in exchange for energy cooperation and investment.
Kuwait has had a more limited defence deal with Pakistan for training and joint exercises since 2023.
It is now seeking a show of force by Islamabad that would be similar to Pakistan’s pact with Saudi Arabia, including “thousands of Pakistani troops on the ground, fighter jets, drones, an air defence system, and other defence-related facilities,” a Pakistani government official was quoted as saying.
