Pakistan, Kuwait Hold Early Talks on Expanding Defense Cooperation: Reuters
ISLAMABAD/KUWAIT CITY:(International Press Agency/Reuters):** Pakistan and Kuwait are holding preliminary discussions on expanding bilateral defense cooperation, including the possibility of a new security agreement covering military personnel, fighter aircraft, and drones, according to Reuters citing informed sources.
The proposed agreement is still in its early stages, and both sides are assessing its scope and practical feasibility. In return, Pakistan is reportedly seeking greater cooperation in the energy sector, increased investment, and broader economic opportunities from Kuwait.
Five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that negotiations remain at an initial stage and could become more complicated due to rising tensions between the United States and Iran.
Reuters reported that concerns have grown in Islamabad that Pakistan’s defense commitments in the Gulf could become more sensitive amid regional instability. The report noted that Pakistan recently conveyed to Iran that any attack on Saudi Arabia would be regarded as an attack on Pakistan, following a reported strike by the Iran-linked Houthi movement against the Kingdom earlier this week.
Pakistan and Kuwait have maintained limited defense cooperation since 2023, focusing on military training and joint exercises. However, Kuwait is now said to be interested in a broader defense arrangement similar to Pakistan’s long-standing security partnership with Saudi Arabia.
A Pakistani government official told Reuters that Kuwait has expressed interest in obtaining Pakistani military personnel, fighter jets, drones, air defense systems, and other defense capabilities under a future agreement.
However, sources indicated that Pakistan is reluctant to commit to such an extensive arrangement, emphasizing that its defense partnership with Saudi Arabia is based on decades of close strategic ties.
A Pakistani security official familiar with the negotiations said Kuwait’s list of requests covers “almost everything,” but stressed that Pakistan is neither considering nor capable of deploying combat forces at this stage.
Reuters said it spoke with four Pakistani sources and one Middle East-based source, all of whom requested anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and Kuwait’s Ministry of Information did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
