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The Saudi Press Agency reported that Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks with Field Marshal Asim Munir in Istanbul on Monday. The Saudi minister of defense and the Pakistani chief of army staff reviewed opportunities for expanded military and defense collaboration between the two countries. Their conversation further addressed recent regional developments along with coordinated efforts to manage shared security challenges.
This bilateral engagement unfolded on the margins of the inaugural meeting for the Strategic Political and Defense Committee created by the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. The trilateral pact uniting Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan was signed on August 7, 2026, during a summit in Makkah. The framework seeks to advance collective security measures and defense partnerships across the signatories.
A joint statement from the three countries outlined plans to establish a secretariat headquartered in Saudi Arabia, initially directed by a Pakistani secretary-general for three years. Participants committed to initiatives that would elevate their armed forces’ integration and overall defense capacities. The agreement specifies that any armed attack on one member state would be viewed as an attack on all three.
Prince Khalid bin Salman, who chaired the Saudi delegation featuring Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, stressed the value of deepened strategic links. “Confronting challenges and threats requires political coordination, defense integration, and collective military readiness,” he stated during the committee proceedings. The Saudi Press Agency indicated that attendees examined multiple agenda items, ultimately approving associated decisions and recommendations.
The latest discussions extend from the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan concluded in September 2025, which had already set the stage for broader collaboration. Prince Khalid had earlier decorated Field Marshal Munir with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class in December 2025 to acknowledge his contributions toward reinforcing the strategic bond. Official records from both sides highlight the consistent priority placed on these defense relations through successive engagements.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan characterized the pact as a significant milestone for regional stability during the Istanbul gathering. Development of a roadmap to facilitate membership by additional nations is underway. The alliance remains strictly defensive in orientation and is not targeted at any specific state.
