Pakistan welcomes Kuwait's ratification of 2023 defence cooperation agreement

PM Shehbaz reaffirms support for Kuwait amid attacks, says Pakistan facilitating regional peace efforts

Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed the ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement during a visit by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

FM Jarrah arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on a two-day official visit aimed at reviewing the full spectrum of Pakistan-Kuwait relations. FM Dar received his Kuwaiti counterpart at the foreign ministry today, where they held a meeting.

"FM Dar welcomed Kuwait’s recent ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed in June 2023 and noted that the agreement marked an important milestone in bilateral defence relations and would further strengthen institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries while enhancing defence cooperation,” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).

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Meeting of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and Foreign Minister of Kuwait H.E. Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 29, 2026

FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi separately said the development reflected the "shared resolve of both sides to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and elevate their security partnership".

He said the agreement provided a comprehensive institutional framework for expanding defence cooperation, encompassing military training and education, joint exercises, exchanges of expertise, and other mutually agreed areas of collaboration. It would further consolidate the longstanding defence ties between Pakistan and Kuwait, he added.

"Pakistan and Kuwait will continue to work closely to implement the agreement in accordance with its provisions, thereby expanding bilateral defence collaboration, strengthening their enduring defence partnership underpinned by mutual trust, shared interests, and close institutional cooperation, and contributing to regional peace, security and stability."

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Statement by the Spokesperson

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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 29, 2026

On July 27, Anadolu Agency reported that Kuwait had ratified a broad defence cooperation agreement with Pakistan, three years after it was signed, according to the country's official gazette.

The agreement was approved and published on Sunday in the official gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm, formalising a defence pact signed by the two countries in June 2023, the Kuwait Times reported.

The agreement establishes a framework for military cooperation between the Kuwaiti and Pakistani armed forces, covering military training, education, intelligence sharing, logistics, defence technology, research and exchanges of expertise, to strengthen institutional military ties between the two countries.

It also provides for cooperation in military manufacturing, electronic communications systems, scientific research, military media and cultural and sports activities.

Under the agreement, a joint military committee will oversee implementation, including the organisation of joint military exercises, official visits and other cooperative programs.

Read More: Pakistan, Kuwait call for de-escalation amid widening US-Iran conflict

The pact will remain in force for five years and will be automatically renewed unless either side decides to terminate it. It also commits both countries to protecting confidential military information and resolving any disputes arising from the agreement through diplomatic channels.

The ratification follows a series of high-level contacts between Kuwaiti and Pakistani military officials in recent months aimed at expanding bilateral defence coordination.

The agreement comes as Kuwait continues to deepen security cooperation with international partners amid heightened regional security challenges in the Gulf.

Kuwait has been among several Gulf countries targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks during the recent regional escalation. Tehran has said the strikes were aimed at US military facilities hosted by Gulf states, while Kuwaiti authorities said their air defences intercepted projectiles that entered the country's airspace.

Dar-FM Jarrah meeting

The FO further added that during their meeting, the two foreign ministers reaffirmed the strong and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Kuwait, rooted in shared history, common values, and mutual respect.

“They reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed ways to further expand and deepen cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, energy, information technology, agriculture, and economic cooperation,” said the statement.

The ministry said that FM Dar underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges in further strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

“The two foreign ministers agreed to establish joint working groups in key areas of bilateral cooperation, including energy, trade and investment, agriculture and food security, information technology, education, and health,” the FO said.

According to the statement, both ministers further agreed to meet periodically to review the progress of these Working Groups, ensure effective follow-up on their work, and provide guidance for the timely implementation aimed at advancing bilateral cooperation.

The statement said that the two ministers "agreed to further institutionalise bilateral cooperation through enhanced institutional linkages and regular high-level exchanges".

It further added that both ministers also "reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and cooperation at multilateral forums on issues of mutual interest".

During the meeting, Kuwait’s foreign minister thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the "warm welcome and gracious hospitality" extended to him and his delegation. He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan's support to Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FM Dar, for his part, "reaffirmed Pakistan's deep commitment to its longstanding brotherly relations with Kuwait" and underscored Islamabad's desire "to further expand the mutually beneficial partnership across all areas of cooperation".

"The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East and Palestine, while Sheikh Jarrah commended Pakistan's "constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability," said the ministry.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and H.E. Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait, co-chaired delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides reviewed the entire… pic.twitter.com/2HN9nCzxPc

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 29, 2026

PM Shehbaz reaffirms full solidarity with Kuwait amid attacks in meeting with FM Jarrah

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with the leadership and people of Kuwait and strongly condemned the attacks during the Middle East conflict in his meeting with FM Jarrah.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Kuwaiti foreign minister called on PM Shehbaz today at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.

“The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with the leadership and people of Kuwait and strongly condemned the attacks on Kuwait and other brotherly Gulf countries during the ongoing conflict,” said the statement.

He stated that Pakistan was playing its part as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator in the regional peace efforts and thanked the Kuwaiti leadership for its support for these efforts.

“During the cordial meeting, the prime minister warmly welcomed the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and conveyed his best wishes to the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah,” it said.

The statement added that the prime minister observed that the two brotherly countries had always stood together through thick and thin.

The PMO said that the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of ties and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Kuwait in diverse fields, including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, information technology, maritime affairs, and human resource development.

“He also appreciated the Kuwaiti government for generously hosting the Pakistani community and acknowledged its valuable contribution to Kuwait’s socio-economic development,” it added.

The statement said that the Kuwaiti foreign minister conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Kuwaiti leadership to the prime minister and reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual benefit.

“He also expressed deep appreciation for the valuable contributions made by Pakistan, particularly by the PM Shehbaz, FM Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in advancing dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the current crisis and restore peace to the region,” read the statement.

Also Read: Pakistan and Kuwait discuss expanded defence pact, sources say

FM Jarrah further thanked Pakistan’s leadership and people for their solidarity and steadfast support for Kuwait during these difficult times.

“The two sides emphasised the importance of continued consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, particularly in the bilateral context, and agreed to exchange delegations in the near future to carry these discussions forward,” the PMO statement added.

The premier reiterated his invitation to the crown prince of Kuwait to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.

Islamabad: 29 July 2026.

His Excellency Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today.

Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with the Federal… pic.twitter.com/6lKgMi1MKP

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 29, 2026

CDF Munir reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to Kuwait

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Kuwaiti FM also met CDF Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The statement said that during the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security and steps to further strengthen bilateral cooperation were discussed.

“The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s steadfast support, its constructive contribution toward regional peace and stability and the deep-rooted fraternal ties shared between the two nations,” said the statement.

CDF Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to Kuwait, emphasising that both countries share a common vision for regional peace and prosperity.

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Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah called on Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at GHQ, Rawalpindi. ISPR says the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security and ways to… pic.twitter.com/dJuWhpT95H

— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) July 29, 2026