RAWALPINDI: The commander of Bahrain’s National Guard, General Shaikh Mohammad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, held discussions on strengthening military collaboration with Pakistan during a meeting with Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday.
A press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the Bahraini commander called on CDF Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment, and avenues for enhanced bilateral defence and security cooperation.
According to ISPR, both dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Bahrain and underscored the importance of further strengthening military-to-military collaboration.
The statement further added that the Bahraini commander also separately called on Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.
During the meeting at the Naval Headquarters, discussions focused on bilateral defence cooperation and regional security dynamics. The Bahraini commander praised the Pakistan Navy’s constructive role in promoting cooperative maritime security across the region, calling it a “regional maritime security stabiliser.”
In the meeting at the Air Headquarters, the Air Chief highlighted Pakistan Air Force’s modernisation efforts, including capability enhancement, infrastructure development, indigenisation, and advanced training reforms.
The ISPR said discussions also covered emerging defence technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors, digital innovation, as well as evolving air defence challenges and integrated defence architectures.
The Bahraini commander appreciated the professionalism, operational readiness, and contributions of Pakistan’s armed forces towards regional peace and stability. He also lauded the army’s modernisation initiatives and indigenous capabilities, expressing interest in expanding cooperation in training, emerging technologies, and capacity-building initiatives.
The military’s media wing stated that the visit reflects the strong and enduring defence partnership between Pakistan and Bahrain and is expected to further enhance bilateral military cooperation for the mutual benefit of both brotherly nations.
It added that discussions on security and defence cooperation come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where a three-month-long war between the United States and Iran remains unresolved despite a fragile ceasefire.
Pakistan has reportedly emerged as a key mediator in the conflict, having hosted a round of talks between the two sides in Islamabad in April and remaining engaged even after plans for a second round of dialogue fell through.
Earlier the same day, the CDF also met Lebanese army Commander-in-Chief General Rodolphe Haykal at the GHQ, where they exchanged views on the evolving regional security environment and discussed strengthening professional interactions, training cooperation, and institutional linkages between the armed forces of both countries.
In January, President Asif Ali Zardari met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Bahrain across political, economic, defence, and cultural fields.
In November last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a two-day visit to Bahrain, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with the kingdom.