Bahraini commander discusses defence ties with Pakistan military leadership

ISLAMABAD: Bahrain National Guard Commander General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa met Pakistan’s top military leadership during a visit to the country, with discussions focusing on defence cooperation, regional security and prospects for further collaboration, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations.

In a statement, the military’s media wing said the Bahraini commander separately called on Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Tuesday.

At General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Field Marshal Munir and General Shaikh Mohammad reviewed matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment and ways to expand bilateral defence and security cooperation. The ISPR said both sides expressed satisfaction over the longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and Bahrain and underscored the importance of strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.

The statement said the Bahraini commander praised the professionalism and operational preparedness of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged their contribution to regional peace and stability. He also appreciated the military’s modernisation drive and indigenous capabilities.

Naval and air force meetings

Before meeting the army chief, General Shaikh Mohammad held separate meetings with the heads of the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force.

At Naval Headquarters, talks centred on bilateral defence cooperation and the regional security situation. According to the ISPR, the Bahraini commander commended the Pakistan Navy’s role in promoting cooperative maritime security in the region and appreciated its contribution as a regional maritime security stabiliser.

During the meeting at Air Headquarters, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu briefed the visiting commander on the Pakistan Air Force’s modernisation efforts, including capability enhancement, infrastructure development, indigenisation and advanced training reforms.

The two sides also discussed emerging defence technologies, including drones, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors and digital innovation, as well as changing air defence challenges and integrated defence architectures, the statement said.

Focus on training and capacity building

The ISPR said General Shaikh Mohammad expressed interest in expanding cooperation in training and capacity-building initiatives. It added that the visit reflected the strong and enduring defence partnership between Pakistan and Bahrain and was expected to further advance bilateral military cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.