Pakistan-Kuwait defence pact talks expand as Gulf seeks alternatives to US security ties

Islamabad: Pakistan and Kuwait have been negotiating an expanded defence agreement that could link security cooperation with energy and investment arrangements, according to sources cited by Reuters.

The discussions are still at an early stage and could be affected by rising tensions involving the United States and Iran, the report said.

Kuwait already has a limited defence agreement with Pakistan, signed in 2023, focused on military training and joint exercises. The Gulf nation is now seeking a broader security partnership with Islamabad.

Possible expansion modelled on Saudi pact

The talks come after Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia last year, under which aggression against one country would be treated as aggression against the other.

According to Reuters, some Kuwaiti officials are seeking a larger commitment from Pakistan that could include military deployments, fighter aircraft, drones, air defence systems and other defence infrastructure.

However, Pakistani officials indicated that a large-scale combat troop deployment was not currently being considered.

A Pakistani security official familiar with the discussions told Reuters that Kuwait had a wide list of requests but added that Pakistan could not consider deploying combat forces at this stage.

The possible Kuwait agreement comes as Gulf countries reassess their security arrangements amid growing regional tensions and questions over long-term reliance on US security guarantees.

Pakistan's military strength, defence cooperation experience and strategic ties with both Western and Muslim-majority countries have made it a potential security partner for some Gulf nations.

Sources cited by Reuters said other countries, including Bahrain and Jordan, have also shown interest in deeper defence cooperation with Pakistan, while Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been working on a separate draft mutual defence agreement.

Concerns over Iran tensions

The discussions are taking place against the backdrop of increased regional tensions involving Iran and its allies.

Pakistan's existing defence understanding with Saudi Arabia has already drawn attention because of concerns that Islamabad could be pulled into wider regional conflicts.

After Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched an attack on Saudi Arabia, Pakistan said it would consider attacks on the kingdom as attacks against itself under the terms of their agreement.

A wider defence arrangement with Kuwait could raise further questions about Pakistan's future role in regional diplomacy and its ability to maintain relations with different sides.

Pakistan has been looking at defence partnerships as a way to strengthen broader economic ties and attract investment.

In possible talks with Kuwait, Islamabad is also seeking cooperation in areas such as energy security, including support for its oil and fuel requirements.

Kuwait and Pakistan have not officially confirmed details of the ongoing discussions, and officials from Pakistan's military media wing and Kuwait's information ministry did not comment on the reported talks.