COAS Munir acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s efforts to safeguard regional security and expressed a commitment to further consolidating this cooperation
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: The official visit of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir to Saudi Arabia marks a significant development in the bilateral ties between the two nations, extending well beyond the realms of traditional defense cooperation to include broader economic, diplomatic, and strategic collaboration. Upon his arrival in Riyadh, General Munir was warmly received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, setting the tone for high-level discussions that spanned several key areas of mutual interest.
According to a statement by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting centered around enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of regional peace, defense cooperation, and security strategies. COAS Munir expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s strong support for Pakistan, highlighting the Crown Prince’s significant role in promoting regional stability, particularly in the Middle East. This support was particularly meaningful given the ongoing complex dynamics in the region, including tensions in Yemen, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the broader geopolitical competition.
The discussions also included strengthening security frameworks between the two countries. Both sides explored ways to enhance military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships in combating emerging threats, particularly terrorism and extremism, which remain key concerns for both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. COAS Munir acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s efforts to safeguard regional security and expressed a commitment to further consolidating this cooperation.
In addition to his meeting with the Crown Prince, General Munir had productive talks with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. Both leaders underscored their mutual commitment to strengthening defense ties, with a particular focus on enhancing military training programs, joint exercises, and the modernization of defense capabilities. The defense ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have historically been strong, with Pakistan having provided military training and support to the Kingdom over the years.
General Munir’s trip also included meetings with other senior Saudi military officials, such as Assistant Minister of Defence Engineer Talal Abdullah Al-Otaibi, the Chief of General Staff of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, Air Chief Marshal Fayyadh Bin Hamed Bin Raqeeb Al Ruwaili, and the Chief of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Lieutenant General Fahad bin Saud Al-Johani. These meetings were crucial in exploring further avenues of military cooperation and fostering closer coordination between the armed forces of the two nations, particularly as both countries navigate evolving security challenges in the region.
The timing of General Munir’s visit is significant in the context of growing diplomatic and economic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Earlier in 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia helped cement an agreement to enhance bilateral collaboration, with both sides agreeing to expand their engagement to $2.8 billion. This agreement comes as part of a broader strategy to bolster economic relations between the two countries, which has seen a marked increase in trade and investment flows.
