The situation in the Middle East came under discussion as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday met Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who is on an official visit to the country.

According to the Foreign Office (FO), the two held a “warm and productive” tête-à-tête at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan–Kuwait bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding brotherly partnership,” it said.

“They also held in-depth discussions on regional and international developments, with particular focus on the evolving situation in the Middle East,” it added.

The visiting dignitary arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday at the invitation of Deputy PM Dar. The FO said that upon arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, he was received by Zahid Hussain, additional secretary at the foreign ministry.

It added that the minister’s visit to Pakistan reflected the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries, “anchored in shared history, mutual trust and close cooperation”.

Announcing the visit on Monday, the FO said Kuwait’s top diplomat was expected to pay a courtesy call on the leadership of Pakistan.

Pakistan has been negotiating an expanded defence pact with Kuwait in exchange for energy cooperation and investment, the Reuters news agency reported earlier this month, citing five sources with knowledge of the talks.