The inaugural session of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia, commenced in Istanbul on Monday. This marks the first official high-level meeting under the trilateral defence framework.
Pakistan’s delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Representing Saudi Arabia are Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, while Türkiye is represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.
The meeting aims to review recent regional and global security developments and to explore methods to enhance the collective defence capabilities, military coordination, and interoperability among the three nations. Discussions are also set to focus on expanding cooperation between their armed forces, including joint military exercises, operational coordination, and increased collaboration within the defence industry, with potential opportunities for joint production and development projects.
Furthermore, the committee intends to establish institutional mechanisms to implement its decisions effectively. This includes setting up a permanent secretariat and other relevant structures, as well as outlining a roadmap for future cooperation and activities.
Prior to the trilateral meeting, Pakistani and Turkish officials engaged in bilateral talks in Istanbul. Field Marshal Asim Munir met with Turkish National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler to discuss ways to strengthen defence cooperation further. Turkish Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu was also present during these discussions.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held discussions with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, concentrating on bilateral and strategic cooperation as well as regional security matters.
The Strategic Political and Defence Committee comprises the foreign and defence ministers alongside the military chiefs of Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia. Türkiye is hosting this inaugural meeting in Istanbul.
This committee was established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Makkah on August 7. The agreement commits the three countries to reinforce collective security and deterrence, stating that an armed attack against any one member will be considered an attack against all three. It also encourages broader cooperation across defence and security sectors.
In a significant development, this pact comes as Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia seek closer strategic coordination amid rising security concerns in the Middle East and broader regional tensions. For Pakistan, the Istanbul meeting presents an opportunity to deepen defence and strategic partnerships with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia while aligning positions on key regional security issues.
The meeting followed the arrival of Field Marshal Munir and Foreign Minister Dar in Istanbul on Sunday, ahead of the trilateral consultations. The session brings together the foreign ministers, defence ministers, and military chiefs of the three nations to advance their collective security agenda.
