Pakistan and Kuwait strengthen defence cooperation with new protocol

Kuwait and Pakistan inked a defense and military cooperation agreement on Thursday, reflecting a trend of reshaping regional alliances amid the Iran war. The deal was unveiled during a visit by Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al Sabah to Islamabad, where he met with his Pakistani counterpart, Muhammad Asif. The ministers discussed strengthening military collaboration, regional security, and stability concerns, according to the Kuwaiti army.

The agreement represents a "significant step" in the defense and military collaboration between the two nations, according to the statement. It will encompass coordination, expertise exchange, and enhanced integration of the armed forces. This development signals closer defense ties between Kuwait and Pakistan, particularly as both nations are deeply engaged in the Iran war.

Pakistan has played a pivotal role in mediating between the US and Iran, utilizing its robust military in the negotiation process. Kuwait, like other Gulf countries, has grappled with heightened security challenges this year, primarily due to Iran's attacks and alleged domestic plots aligned with the Iranian regime. Pakistan, along with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, recently signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an attack on one state constitutes an attack on all.

Kuwait has faced recurrent attacks from Iran and its factions within Iraq throughout the year, as well as thwarted terrorist plots linked to Hezbollah-affiliated cells and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Domestically, the country recently thwarted a terrorist plot against a crucial facility and apprehended a Kuwaiti national affiliated with ISIS before the plot could be executed.

Kuwait has also conducted its largest drug bust in history this month, seizing nearly $500 million worth of Captagon, a widely-used amphetamine. Like many Middle Eastern nations, Kuwait is also working to eradicate the Captagon trade. In February, Kuwaiti authorities seized over 300,000 Captagon pills in a joint operation with neighboring Iraq.