Islamabad (GNP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday, with both sides discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, the Foreign Office said.
Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day and called on Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two ministers were also due to hold delegation-level talks.
The meeting took place as Pakistan and Singapore mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders reviewed the “longstanding and friendly relations” between their countries and stressed the importance of sustained high-level exchanges.
That focus on continuity shaped the rest of the agenda. The ministers discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development. They also spoke about promoting business-to-business exchanges and people-to-people contacts.
Their discussion extended to multilateral forums. They reviewed Pakistan’s enhanced engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly with Singapore set to chair the bloc in 2027.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Dar emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes and advancing lasting peace and stability.
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A practical step on cooperation was lined up for the visit as well. Before Balakrishnan arrived, the Foreign Office had said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on disaster management would be exchanged between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore’s Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
The Foreign Office described the two countries’ ties as cordial and based on mutual respect and longstanding friendship. It said the visit reflects a shared commitment to “deepening and diversifying their bilateral partnership.”
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
