Pakistan, Azerbaijan agree to expand defence cooperation

Pakistan and Azerbaijan agreed to strengthen bilateral defence ties during a meeting between the two countries’ naval leaders at the Pakistan Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Commander of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces Rear Admiral Shahin Mammadov discussed areas of mutual interest, the regional maritime security environment, and options to expand cooperation in defence and training.

The two discussed “matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security situation, and avenues for enhanced cooperation in training and defence”.

Officials provided the visiting commander with a briefing on current projects of the Pakistan Navy. The ceremony on arrival included a guard of honour, and the Azerbaijani commander laid a wreath at the Shuhada’s Monument.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the visit is expected to build on longstanding naval collaboration and further broaden defence cooperation between the two countries.

The development follows talks between Pakistan’s prime minister and the president of Azerbaijan in November, where both sides reviewed bilateral relations and agreed to enhance cooperation across political, trade, energy, connectivity and defence sectors.