Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Meets Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir to Reinforce Strategic Defense Partnership
RIYADH — In a significant development for bilateral military cooperation, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, held a high-level meeting on Thursday with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The meeting, which took place in the Saudi capital, served to underscore the enduring strength of the relationship between the two nations and to chart the course for future collaboration in defense and security sectors.
Prince Khalid bin Salman confirmed the engagement, stating that the discussions were centered on the mutual desire to “reaffirm our strong relations and strategic defense partnership.” The leaders engaged in a comprehensive dialogue regarding the evolving security landscape in the region and beyond. According to the official statement released following the meeting, the two sides “discussed our joint efforts to promote global peace and security in a manner that serves our shared interests.”
The engagement comes at a pivotal time for regional stability, with both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan playing critical roles in Middle Eastern and South Asian security architectures. The elevation of Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal—a rare and prestigious distinction—highlights his central role in Pakistan’s military leadership and the deepened scope of his authority as both the Army Chief and the Chief of Defense Forces.
Defense analysts view this meeting as a continuation of the historic “brotherly” ties that have long defined Saudi-Pakistan relations. The partnership is deeply rooted in decades of military cooperation, including joint training exercises, intelligence sharing, and defense procurement. Pakistan has historically been a key ally for Saudi Arabia, providing military expertise and manpower when requested, while the Kingdom has remained one of Pakistan’s most vital economic and strategic partners.
During the talks, Prince Khalid and Field Marshal Munir explored avenues to further institutionalize this cooperation. Key topics likely included counter-terrorism strategies, maritime security, and the modernization of defense capabilities to meet contemporary threats. The specific mention of “global peace and security” suggests that the dialogue extended beyond bilateral concerns to address broader geopolitical challenges that impact the Muslim world and the international community at large.
The reaffirmation of the “strategic defense partnership” signals that both Riyadh and Islamabad remain committed to a unified approach on matters of national security. As the geopolitical dynamics of the region continue to shift, the alignment between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the Pakistan Armed Forces remains a cornerstone of stability. The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing optimism about the trajectory of their defense ties and a renewed commitment to working in unison to protect their shared interests and contribute to international stability.
* azernews.az
