Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye to deepen defence cooperation

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are set to hold the first meeting of a strategic committee formed under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

ISTANBUL: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are set to hold the first meeting of a strategic committee formed under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

The meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee will be held in Istanbul today. It is aimed at strengthening coordination among the three countries on political and defence matters.

The committee has been established as part of the joint efforts by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to enhance strategic cooperation. The mechanism is expected to provide a platform for regular consultations on regional security and defence issues.

Ahead of the meeting, Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler held a meeting with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif in Istanbul.

Turkish Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu also participated in the meeting. The discussions focused on defence cooperation and the evolving security situation in the region.

During the talks, Khawaja Asif and the Turkish leadership agreed to further expand joint defence cooperation. Both sides stressed the importance of closer coordination in areas of mutual interest.

The two countries also discussed ways to strengthen their existing defence relationship. They expressed a desire to increase cooperation and coordination to address emerging regional security challenges.

Pakistan and Türkiye have maintained close defence ties for several years. Their cooperation includes military training, defence production, exercises and professional exchanges.

Saudi Arabia is also an important strategic partner for both countries. The three-way defence framework is intended to bring their efforts closer and improve coordination.

The first meeting of the strategic committee is expected to set the direction for future cooperation. It could also help establish a regular mechanism for consultations between the three countries.

The development comes amid growing security challenges in the region. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have increasingly emphasised the importance of closer strategic coordination.

Officials from the three countries are expected to discuss regional developments and ways to enhance collective cooperation during the meeting.