ISTANBUL — A new chapter in regional defence cooperation is taking shape as Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia bring their top political and military leadership together in Istanbul, with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir holding key talks with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.
The high-level engagement comes as the three countries launch the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee created under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, or Makkah Accord
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, met Prince Khalid bin Salman on the sidelines of the landmark gathering, putting defence and strategic coordination at the centre of discussions between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The Istanbul meeting is being viewed as a major early step toward turning the newly formed Makkah Defence Alliance from an agreement into a functioning and institutionalised security partnership.
The significance of the gathering lies in the level of representation. For the first time under the new alliance framework, the foreign ministers, defence ministers and military chiefs of Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are coming together through a dedicated committee to determine the alliance’s strategic direction.
The committee is expected to develop a roadmap for cooperation while identifying practical areas where the three countries can expand military and defence collaboration. The diplomatic and military momentum had already begun building before the main session.
Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler held separate meetings with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Türkiye’s Ministry of Defence released footage of the meetings, highlighting the increasingly close defence relationship between Ankara and Islamabad. Both sides agreed to further strengthen military cooperation.
The Istanbul talks follow the August 7 establishment of the Makkah Defence Alliance by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. The alliance was created as a new platform for enhanced political coordination, closer defence cooperation and stronger strategic security ties among the three countries.
Now, with senior leadership assembled in Istanbul, attention is shifting from the announcement of the alliance to how it will actually function.
The Strategic Political and Defence Committee is expected to play a central role in that process by developing an operational roadmap and identifying concrete mechanisms for closer military collaboration.
Türkiye’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.
Pakistan is represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Saudi Arabia has sent Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.
With the foreign policy, defence and military leadership of all three countries gathered under one framework, the Istanbul meeting carries considerable strategic weight.
The immediate challenge for the Makkah Defence Alliance is to build permanent mechanisms for coordination rather than remain a political declaration. Istanbul discussions are therefore expected to lay the foundations for stronger institutional links, expanded military engagement and practical defence partnerships between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Turkey’s Defence Chief hold Key Talks ahead of Makkah Alliance Meeting
