ISLAMABAD – Rear Admiral Sajer bin Rafeed Al-Anezi, Commander of the Eastern Fleet of the Royal Saudi Navy, met with Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf at the Pakistan Navy Headquarters in Islamabad on November 13, 2023. The high-level discussions focused on strengthening bilateral maritime security and enhancing defence collaboration between the two nations.
During the meeting, Admiral Ashraf welcomed Rear Admiral Al-Anezi and highlighted the longstanding ties between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. Both leaders exchanged views on mutual interests and regional maritime security, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation in ensuring stability in the maritime domain.
Rear Admiral Al-Anezi expressed appreciation for Pakistan Navy’s efforts in promoting maritime security and stability in the region. He acknowledged the professional capabilities of the Pakistan Navy and reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to furthering defence cooperation with Pakistan.
The meeting underscored the strong defence relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which have been reinforced through joint naval exercises, shared training initiatives, and collaborative security efforts. Both navies have a history of cooperation dating back to the 1970s, with Pakistan providing training to Saudi naval personnel during the formative years of the Royal Saudi Navy.
The discussions also highlighted the significance of regional maritime security initiatives, such as the AMAN series of multinational naval exercises hosted by Pakistan. These exercises aim to enhance interoperability among participating navies and promote collective efforts in combating maritime threats, including piracy and terrorism.
As the two nations continue to deepen their defence ties, the meeting between the naval chiefs serves as a reaffirmation of their shared commitment to regional peace and security. The collaboration between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces remains a cornerstone of their strategic partnership in the maritime domain.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.