Latest news with #navalcooperation


Arab News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia pledge deeper defense ties during Saudi naval chief's Islamabad visit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to enhance and strengthen the scope of their existing bilateral defense ties, with a renewed focus on naval cooperation and regional maritime security, said an official statement. The announcement came during a meeting between Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) Vice Admiral Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Ghuraybi at Pakistan Navy Headquarters in Islamabad. The two sides reaffirmed their longstanding defense partnership, particularly between their navies, which have conducted regular joint drills and personnel exchanges over the years. 'The leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security situation and avenues for enhanced cooperation in defense, training and security,' the Pakistan Navy said in a statement. 'Both leaders pledged to further strengthen and diversify the scope of existing bilateral defense relationship.' The two commanders also appreciated the successful conduct of the latest iteration of the joint naval exercise Naseem Al Bahr-XV in the North Arabian Sea earlier this year. Admiral Ashraf briefed his counterpart on Pakistan Navy's Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP) initiative to maintain maritime order, secure sea lanes and counter non-traditional threats such as piracy and smuggling across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region. Pakistan is also a key participant in the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 41-nation coalition based in Bahrain that conducts maritime security and counter-piracy operations across 3.2 million square miles of international waters. It has previously commanded Combined Task Force (CTF)-150 and CTF-151, focused on maritime security and counter-piracy respectively, reinforcing its role as a regional maritime security provider. The statement said Vice Admiral Al Ghuraybi acknowledged Pakistan Navy's role in collaborative maritime efforts and commended the professional training being imparted to RSNF cadets at the Pakistan Naval Academy and onboard Pakistan Navy ships. The Saudi delegation was also presented a Guard of Honour and briefed by senior officers at Naval Headquarters. The Pakistan Navy said the visit would further deepen defense ties and enhance naval collaboration between the two brotherly countries.


Zawya
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Courtesy Call on Minister Radegonde by Captain Vikas Guleria
Captain Vikas Guleria, Commanding Officer of INS TEG paid a courtesy call on Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy on Thursday, 26 June 2025. During the meeting, discussions centered on the enduring tradition of the Indian Armed Forces' involvement in Seychelles' National Day celebrations as well as this year's National Day Parade. Captain Vikas Guleria, who participated in the national day festivities in Seychelles in 2017, is keen to enhance cultural and people to people relationships to foster regional partnerships during his visit. They also highlighted ongoing capacity-building efforts through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme for Seychelles Defence Forces personnel and the joint surveillance of Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) being conducted in partnership with the Seychelles Coast Guard during INS TEG's visit. Recognizing India as a key maritime security partner, Minister Radegonde underlined the importance of continued naval cooperation in addressing regional threats such as piracy off the Somali coast and other illicit maritime activities such, as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing, in the Western Indian Ocean. Minister Radegonde expressed appreciation for India's enduring support and reaffirmed Seychelles' commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. He welcomed the continued presence of Indian naval vessels in Seychelles as a testament to the deepening military cooperation between the two nations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.


CNA
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore, UK navies to discuss interoperability ahead of FPDA military exercise
Defence leaders from Singapore and the UK will meet to discuss closer naval cooperation ahead of a major military exercise, says the commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group. Exercise Bersama Lima will involve land, air and sea forces from the Five Power Defence Arrangement group - the UK, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand. The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will join the exercise for the first time. Aslam Shah goes aboard the ship for a closer look.