Pakistan, Italy discuss expanding defence, security cooperation in Rome

ROME, Oct 2 (APP): Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday held bilateral talks with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto here, with the two sides reviewing defence, military and security cooperation and discussing ways to broaden future engagement.

The meeting took place at the Palazzo Aeronautica, where the defence minister was received by Italian Defence Minister Crosetto. An Italian Armed Forces contingent presented a guard of honour, while military bands performed the national anthems of Pakistan and Italy. The two ministers also visited the Air Force Museum at the venue, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs news release said.

The discussions covered the wider spectrum of bilateral defence and security cooperation. The two ministers reaffirmed their intention to deepen and diversify exchanges and discussed maintaining close contacts on regional peace and security, support for United Nations peacekeeping missions and cooperation against terrorism.

The meeting also included an exchange on major international crisis scenarios, with particular attention to the Middle East and efforts to promote de-escalation and security for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Crosetto said the two sides discussed the importance of dialogue and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving outstanding issues and supporting long-term stability.

Khawaja Asif invited Minister Crosetto to visit Pakistan for bilateral consultations. The Italian defence minister accepted the invitation. The two ministers had previously met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February 2026.

During his visit, the defence minister also took part in a series of engagements arranged by the Embassy of Pakistan in Rome. He gave interviews to Italian broadcaster TG1 and newspaper Corriere della Sera, followed by an hour-long question-and-answer session with representatives of Italian print, electronic and online media.

Representatives of Italy’s Rai network, international and Pakistani ethnic media, as well as journalists from organisations including the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Rome Press Club, ANSA and Adnkronos, attended the embassy-hosted interaction. Think tanks and academic institutions were also represented, including the Italian Institute for Asia, the Center for International Studies, and students and graduates from LUISS and La Sapienza universities.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif used the engagements to present Pakistan’s positions on diplomacy and dialogue, the Indus Waters Treaty, cross-border terrorism and the May 2025 conflict with India. Those descriptions reflect the Pakistani government’s stated position.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy, Ali Javed, Defence Attaché, Air Commodore Imtiaz Rahim Shahzada and other embassy officials participated in the minister’s engagements.

At the conclusion of the visit, Khawaja Asif recorded his impressions in the visitors’ book at the embassy and thanked the mission’s staff, according to the Foreign Ministry.