ISLAMABAD,— Pakistan and Bahrain have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defence and security cooperation amid heightened tensions and ongoing conflicts across the Middle East, following high-level meetings between Bahrain's National Guard commander and Pakistan's military leadership.

General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of the Bahrain National Guard, met Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by Pakistan's military.

The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment, and opportunities to enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Bahrain and emphasized the need for closer military-to-military collaboration.

The Bahraini commander also held separate meetings with Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff.

At Naval Headquarters, discussions focused on bilateral defence collaboration and regional security dynamics. General Al Khalifa praised the Pakistan Navy's role in promoting cooperative maritime security and contributing to stability in the region.

During talks at Air Headquarters, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu highlighted the Pakistan Air Force's modernization programme, including capability enhancement, indigenous defence production, infrastructure development and advanced training reforms.

The two sides exchanged views on emerging military technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors and digital innovation, as well as evolving air defence challenges and integrated defence architectures.

General Al Khalifa commended the professionalism and operational readiness of Pakistan's armed forces and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in training, emerging technologies and capacity-building initiatives.

Pakistan's military said the visit underscored the strong and enduring defence partnership between the two countries and would help further advance bilateral military cooperation.

The visit comes at a time of heightened security concerns across the Middle East, where regional tensions have intensified following military confrontations involving Iran, the United States and Israel, as well as continuing conflicts in several parts of the region. Gulf states, including Bahrain, have closely monitored developments amid concerns over regional stability, maritime security and the potential spillover effects of broader geopolitical rivalries.