Islamabad: The naval chiefs of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discussed a wide range of issues including naval collaboration and regional maritime security, the Pakistan Navy said on Tuesday.
Commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Ghofaily held a meeting with Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi at naval headquarters in Islamabad.
The two naval chiefs discussed broader naval cooperation and various avenues of collaboration between Islamabad and Riyadh. Both the commanders agreed to enhance mutual interaction in diverse fields of training, mutual visits and defence collaboration.
Admiral Niazi highlighted the Pakistan Navy’s commitment and efforts for ensuring maritime security and stability in the region including the Pakistan Navy’s initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP). “Commander Royal Saudi Naval Forces appreciated and acknowledged Pakistan Navy’s efforts and commitments in support of collaborative maritime security in the region” according to the official statement.
The visit of the Saudi naval chief would strengthen the bilateral collaboration between the two navies, the statement said.
RSNF Commander Vice Admiral Fahad Al-Ghofaily is in Pakistan for the ongoing Pak-Saudi joint naval exercise ‘Naseem Al-Bahr 13’. The drills commenced on October 3. The exercise includes “joint conduct of maritime security operations across the traditional and non-traditional warfare domains thus enhancing interoperability between both the navies.”
Saudi naval forces commander also held a meeting with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza at Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The two officials discussed the expansion of bilateral military engagements and cooperation. Gen Raza said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia cooperation would have a positive impact on peace and security in the region.
