Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has travelled to Istanbul for high-level diplomatic talks involving seven countries. The meetings will bring together Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Britain, France and Germany to discuss regional security challenges. The discussions aim to strengthen cooperation and explore diplomatic solutions to ongoing conflicts.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar will first attend a meeting of the R4 group. Its members include Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt. Foreign ministers will exchange views on important regional and international developments. A second meeting will then bring together the R4 and E3 groups.
Read more: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar departs for Istanbul for R-4 and E-3
The upcoming R4+E3 gathering marks the first meeting between these two groups. The E3 comprises Britain, France and Germany, which have coordinated diplomatic efforts on Iran’s nuclear programme for over two decades. Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Mecca Defence Agreement in August. Egypt later joined the newly formed R4 grouping this year.
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Curtain Raiser: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar’s @MIshaqDar50 Participation in the R4 and R4+E3 Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, Istanbul, Türkiye (23 October 2026)
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 23, 2026
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the talks following Ankara’s initiative. Discussions will cover the Palestinian issue, developments in Yemen and security around the Strait of Hormuz. Ministers will also consider diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The countries will explore practical ways to coordinate their responses to shared challenges.
Türkiye plans to stress the importance of regional countries taking responsibility for their own security. Ankara also wants to prevent separate disputes from escalating into wider regional instability. Fidan will highlight concerns about Israeli settlement expansion and violence linked to settlers. He will also express Türkiye’s support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks.
Read more: Ishaq Dar directs timely preparations for ECO meeting
Maritime security will remain another major concern, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Türkiye supports maintaining freedom of navigation through these important waterways. The meeting will also address growing risks to commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Attacks involving drones have increased as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to affect the region.
Türkiye has previously proposed measures to Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on ships. However, recent incidents near Romania and Bulgaria indicate that maritime threats remain a concern. NATO announced additional aircraft, drones and radar systems for the Black Sea on Tuesday. During his Istanbul visit, Dar is also expected to hold separate bilateral meetings with foreign ministers.