Pakistan, Maldives Set $200m Trade Target, Sign 20 Agreements
Shehbaz Sharif, Mohamed Muizzu pledge stronger cooperation in defence, health, education, IT and maritime security
ISLAMABAD (News Pulse): Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to increase bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million within the next two years, as the two countries signed 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to expand cooperation across key sectors.
The agreements were signed during the three-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to Pakistan, the first visit by a Maldivian president in 11 years. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1966.
Addressing the signing ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the ambitious trade target had been agreed upon with the full endorsement of President Muizzu. He said the existing trade volume remained far below the economic potential of the two countries and stressed the need for joint efforts to unlock new opportunities.
Shehbaz said discussions between the two sides had been productive, covering trade, investment, strategic defence cooperation, police training, education, healthcare and other areas of mutual interest. He also pledged to personally oversee the implementation of the agreements to ensure that the understandings translated into tangible results.
The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to the Maldives’ healthcare sector, noting that around 250 Pakistani doctors, along with paramedical staff, were serving in the country. He said Pakistan was prepared to provide additional qualified professionals according to Maldivian requirements.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting education and professional development in the Maldives, where many students have studied at Pakistani universities and colleges, particularly in healthcare-related fields.
Pakistan to Support Maldives’ Five-Million-Tree Initiative
On environmental cooperation, Shehbaz announced that Pakistan would support the Maldives’ plan to plant five million trees by providing 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of different plant species. The assistance would be provided in due course through mutual understanding between the two governments.
Pakistan also offered to share its technical expertise with the Maldives, particularly in information technology and data infrastructure. Welcoming the Maldives’ plans to establish data centres, the prime minister said Pakistan had developed facilities ranging from half a megawatt to 8.5 megawatts and was willing to share its experience.
The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in fisheries, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, technical education and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Palestine, Kashmir
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
He welcomed the Maldives’ consistent support for the Palestinian cause and stressed the importance of continued coordination between the two countries on international forums.
Shehbaz also briefed President Muizzu on Pakistan’s position regarding Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating Islamabad’s call for a peaceful settlement in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The prime minister also raised concerns over India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, emphasising that legally binding international agreements must be respected.
“Water is a red line for Pakistan,” Shehbaz said, warning that shared water resources must not be weaponised or used as instruments of political pressure.
He stressed that any violation concerning shared water resources would be regarded by Pakistan as an act of war.
Muizzu Calls for a New Era of Partnership
President Muizzu said the agreements represented an important opportunity to take Pakistan-Maldives relations into a new era of partnership, building on six decades of friendship and diplomatic cooperation.
He thanked the Pakistani government and people for their warm hospitality and said his discussions with Shehbaz had reflected a shared determination to make bilateral relations broader, more dynamic and more beneficial for the people of both countries.
Muizzu endorsed the $200 million trade target, saying both sides had agreed to expand commercial engagement, encourage investment, strengthen tourism cooperation and improve connectivity.
He said the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum, scheduled for Thursday, would bring together business leaders, investors and innovators to identify new commercial opportunities and develop partnerships.
The Maldivian president also welcomed discussions on establishing direct air links between the two countries, saying improved connectivity could boost tourism and facilitate people-to-people exchanges. He highlighted the potential for halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, where the two countries could build on their shared values and experiences.
Focus on Youth, Education and Healthcare
Muizzu said both countries had placed particular emphasis on expanding opportunities for young people, including Maldivian students, athletes, coaches and young professionals.
The two sides agreed to strengthen youth exchanges and cooperation in skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership. They also discussed emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation and future technologies.
In healthcare, the discussions focused on increasing opportunities for Maldivian students and medical professionals in Pakistan. These included expanding MBBS placements under Pakistan’s Technical Assistance Programme and exploring internship opportunities for Maldivian medical graduates.
Muizzu said cooperation in education and healthcare would help strengthen institutions, develop professional skills and build the Maldives’ future capacity.
He also welcomed Pakistan’s support for environmental protection and climate resilience, describing climate change as a direct challenge to the Maldives’ security, development and future. Cooperation in conservation, sustainable waste management and renewable energy was also discussed.
Twenty Agreements Cover Key Sectors
The 20 agreements and MoUs signed by the two countries cover a broad range of areas, including information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, narcotics control, social protection, healthcare, defence, maritime security, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and environmental cooperation.
The agreements also provide for collaboration in higher education, technical and vocational training, youth and sports development, air connectivity, arts, culture and heritage.
Additional arrangements were signed between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority, as well as between the two countries’ institutions responsible for police training, civil service examinations and public administration.
To strengthen commercial ties, the Maldives State Trading Organisation and Pakistan’s Trading Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU covering trade in agricultural commodities, food and other products.
The two governments also agreed to strengthen cooperation in recruiting healthcare professionals and enhancing institutional capacity in various sectors.
Muizzu emphasised that agreements would be meaningful only if they produced concrete results, adding that both countries must now focus on translating their commitments into practical opportunities and benefits for their people.
Support for Regional Cooperation and Palestine
The Maldivian president highlighted the importance of coordination at the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and other regional and international forums.
He also called for revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), saying regional challenges required collective action, dialogue and mutual understanding.
Muizzu said the Maldives was ready to work with all SAARC member states to create conditions for convening the next summit at the earliest possible opportunity.
On Palestine, he reiterated his country’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an independent, sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also commended Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation, humanitarian assistance and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Both leaders expressed confidence that their longstanding friendship, shared values and closer economic engagement would open new avenues for cooperation and prosperity.
Dar Meets Maldivian President
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met President Muizzu and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.
According to the Foreign Office, Dar conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and welcomed the Maldivian president and his delegation to Pakistan.
He also welcomed the participation of the Maldivian business delegation in the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum, expressing hope that business-to-business engagements would generate concrete trade and investment opportunities.
Muizzu appreciated the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and his delegation and expressed his country’s desire to deepen relations with Pakistan and explore further areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
President Receives Guard of Honour
Earlier, President Muizzu was accorded a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House upon his arrival for high-level talks with Shehbaz Sharif.
Accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior officials, the Maldivian president was received by the prime minister at a formal ceremony where the national anthems of both countries were played.
A smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces presented the guard of honour, which Muizzu reviewed before the two leaders introduced their respective delegations and proceeded to bilateral and delegation-level talks.
The visiting president also planted a sapling on the lawns of the Prime Minister’s House, underscoring the importance of environmental cooperation.
The two sides expressed confidence that the visit would inject fresh momentum into bilateral relations and transform six decades of friendship into a stronger partnership based on trade, investment, security cooperation and people-to-people contacts.