Pakistan is expanding its defence engagement beyond its traditional neighbourhood through a new security agreement with Somalia, signed days before Islamabad joined Saudi Arabia and Turkey in the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. The developments indicate a broader effort by Pakistan to use military cooperation as an instrument of regional diplomacy despite its severe financial constraints.
The Pakistan-Somalia defence cooperation agreement was signed in Islamabad on August 4 and covers counter-terrorism, military training, exchanges and capacity building. The two countries already cooperate on security and counter-terrorism, with Pakistan having previously offered training and expertise to Somali security institutions.
