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Despite dispute with Riyadh over Kashmir, Saudi-Pakistan ties remain strong

Security and economic bonds mean that Islamabad’s recent disputes with Riyadh are unlikely to impact overall bilateral ties.
Pakistani Kashmiri from Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir party, shout slogans as they march during a protest against India in Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Pakistani territory of Azad Kashmir, on February 18, 2019. - Saudi Arabia vowed to "de-escalate" rising tensions between Pakistan and India during a high-profile summit in Islamabad on February 18 as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares to travel from Islamabad to New Delhi. (Photo by SAJJAD QAYYUM / AFP)        (Photo credit should read SAJJAD QA

Pakistan's army chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa arrived in Saudi Arabia Monday for talks with the royal leadership. Although it was described as primarily a previously planned military meeting, it may have provided a good opportunity for removing any misunderstandings amid media conjecture that Riyadh may have been irked by recent criticism from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Saudi envoy to Pakistan, Adm. Nawaf Saeed Al-Malkiy, visited the army chief last week to discuss regional security and bilateral defense ties, suggesting that ties had already been smoothed.

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