ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is reportedly in talks with Gulf nations for its most consequential defence partnerships, with Kuwait seeking an expanded military agreement in exchange for deeper energy cooperation and investment.
Pakistan has long practiced a balancing act between its deep ties to Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, and its relations with Iran. Recent escalation shows this can continue, though expanded defense commitments like those discussed with Kuwait would strain it further.
While negotiations remain in preliminary stages, the proposed arrangement shows a rapidly changing regional security environment, where Gulf states are increasingly looking beyond the US for strategic military partners. However, the talks are unfolding against the backdrop of heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, raising questions about Pakistan’s future role in regional conflicts and diplomacy.
The discussions come only months after Islamabad inked landmark mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia, and it has already sparked debate over whether Pakistan could be drawn into any future confrontation involving Iran.
After recent Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia, Islamabad declared that any attack on KSA would be considered an attack on Pakistan itself. A similar security commitment with Kuwait, which has also come under repeated attacks from Iran this year, could significantly reshape Islamabad’s strategic posture in the Gulf and complicate its longstanding efforts to balance relations between Tehran and Washington.
Pakistan and Kuwait already cooperate under a limited defence agreement signed in 2023 that covers military training and joint exercises. Kuwait is now pushing for a far broader partnership that mirrors Pakistan’s agreement with Saudi Arabia.
According to a Pakistani government official familiar with the negotiations, Kuwait has sought a substantial Pakistani military presence, including thousands of troops, fighter aircraft, drones, integrated air defence systems, and other defence infrastructure. Despite the ambitious proposals, Pakistani officials insist there are clear limits.
“Kuwait’s wish list includes everything,” one Pakistani security official said, adding that Islamabad is not prepared to deploy combat troops at this stage despite continuing discussions on broader defence cooperation.
A Middle Eastern source confirmed that defence procurement remains part of the ongoing negotiations but cautioned that it is still uncertain whether the talks will ultimately result in a formal mutual defence pact.
As confidence in long-term US security guarantees weakened, several Arab nations accelerated efforts to diversify their defence partnerships. Pakistan, with one of the region’s largest armed forces and an expanding indigenous defence industry that manufactures fighter aircraft and other military systems, has emerged as an increasingly attractive security partner.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are reportedly preparing a draft agreement for a broader trilateral mutual defence framework separate from Islamabad’s existing bilateral pact with Riyadh. Bahrain is also said to be exploring a similar security arrangement, while Jordan has expressed interest in expanding cooperation on military training and defence procurement.
Islamabad is seeking greater Gulf investment and stronger energy cooperation as it attempts to strengthen its economy and improve long-term energy security. Officials familiar with the discussions said Islamabad wants any expanded defence partnership with Kuwait to include meaningful cooperation in the energy sector.
Among the proposals under consideration is the development of bonded fuel storage facilities in Pakistan, building on an existing government-to-government diesel supply agreement between the two countries. Such a project would support Pakistan’s efforts to expand strategic fuel reserves while deepening economic ties with Kuwait.
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