IN a significant development, Pakistan and Kuwait on Thursday signed the ‘Protocol Agreement-2026’ to expand bilateral defence cooperation and enhance their existing military cooperation framework. The latest pact builds upon the foundational Defence Cooperation Agreement-2023, deepening institutional ties amid shifting geopolitical and regional security dynamics in the Gulf. Under the new agreement, the Armed Forces of Pakistan would extend assistance to the Armed Forces of Kuwait in diverse fields, including training, capacity building, border management and other mutually agreed areas of defence collaboration.
This is yet another indication of Pakistan’s expanding defence footprints in the Gulf and manifestation of trust of the regional countries in Pakistan’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the maintenance of peace and security in the backdrop of emerging realities. Only recently, a tri-nation defence pact was signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which is being viewed by some analysts as the emergence of an equivalent of NATO in the Muslim world. There are reports that some Muslim countries are already contemplating to join the pact, which is destined to play a significant role in strengthening defence and security of not only the signatories but also as a potential deterrence against aggressive moves vis-à-vis small and defenceless Islamic countries in different parts of the globe. As Pakistan and Kuwait were signing a pact to expand their defence cooperation, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told Parliament on Thursday that his country would consider joining the Makkah Pact positively if invited by the founding members and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had already stated that the forum is open to other Muslim countries. It is yet to be seen as to what final shape the pact would take and how effective it will be in safeguarding security interest and territorial integrity of the member states but it empowers member states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them, and reflects their shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond, in pursuit of a secure and prosperous future.
For the time being, Kuwait has not joined the Makkah Pact but expansion of defence cooperation with Pakistan offers it a strong linkage to promote its interests. Pakistan and Kuwait share a long-standing and growing defence partnership focused on military training, capacity building, and regional security cooperation and now both sides have reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen this partnership in support of mutual security and regional peace and stability. Apart from military training and education, the agreement between the two countries envisages cooperation in intelligence sharing, logistics, defence technology, research and exchanges of expertise, to strengthen institutional military ties between the two countries. More importantly, it provides for cooperation in military manufacturing, electronic communications systems, scientific research, military media and cultural and sports activities. This aspect is in line with what this newspaper has long been emphasizing in these columns that Pakistan should enter into an arrangement with affluent Muslim countries for co-production of military equipment. Recent wars including Pakistan-India and the US-Iran have highlighted the dominant role being played by missiles and drones in the modern-day wars and both Pakistan and Turkiye have necessary expertise to come up with solutions not only for their own defence and security but also their partners.
Pakistan also successfully used advanced multi-role fighter jets including state-of-the-art JF-17 Thunders during its war with India, attracting supply orders from several countries and it surely needs additional resources to diversify and enhance its manufacturing. Similarly, Pakistan’s strategic presence in the Gulf is in line with aspirations of the people of the country who want cementing of ties with the friendly states of the region but there should also be increased focus on trade and investment to help overcome Pakistan’s economic and financial challenges.
