ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discussed ways to strengthen their strategic cooperation during the recent visit of Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to Islamabad, said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday.

“The Saudi-Pak relations are exemplary. I was present during the meeting of the visiting deputy defense minister with Prime Minister Imran Khan where the two sides discussed bilateral and regional issues in detail. We also discussed the way forward in strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries,” Qureshi said while talking to Arab News.

He informed that Khan highlighted the deteriorating situation in Indian-administered Kashmir during his conversation with the Saudi prince, adding that Pakistan also took him into confidence on recent developments in Afghanistan.

The visiting Saudi royal also termed his Pakistan visit as an attempt to further consolidate relations between the two countries.

“The visit to Pakistan is an extension of the brotherly relations between the two countries and two brotherly peoples, and a step in the framework of strengthening their strategic cooperation and their pioneering role in the Islamic world and the region,” he tweeted after his visit to Pakistan on Monday, adding that he conveyed the message of the Saudi leadership to Prime Minister Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his meetings with them.

According to an official statement released by Prime Minister’s Office, the Saudi deputy minister of defense called on PM Khan on Monday to discuss bilateral and regional affairs.

During the meeting, read the handout, “Prime Minister Imran Khan appreciated the growing economic ties between the two countries and the Saudi commitment for investment in diverse sectors. He acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s strong economic support for Pakistan particularly at the time of economic challenges.”

Later in the day, the visiting royal called on the army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, at the General Head Quarters in Rawalpindi.

According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, “Views were exchanged on issues of mutual interest including defense and security cooperation, measures to further enhance bilateral defense collaboration including Training Exchange Program and overall regional security situation including the situation in IOJ& K [Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir].”