ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Maldives are seeking to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties as Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu begins a three-day state visit to Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the visiting president at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday, where Muizzu received a guard of honour.
The two leaders greeted each other with a handshake and exchanged pleasantries during the official reception. The visit is expected to open fresh avenues for cooperation in trade, investment, education, tourism and other key sectors.
The diplomatic engagement comes as both countries mark 60 years of relations established in 1966, highlighting their shared interest in expanding longstanding ties.
Pakistan Maldives Relations Take Centre Stage in High-Level Talks
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met President Muizzu in Islamabad ahead of the main leadership discussions. According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Dar welcomed Muizzu and his delegation, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to its longstanding friendly relationship with the Maldives. He stressed the importance of broadening cooperation across several sectors, including trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.
The discussions underscored the shared desire to turn diplomatic goodwill into practical economic and development opportunities. Both countries are looking to identify areas where closer engagement can deliver mutual benefits.
President Muizzu thanked Pakistan for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He also expressed the Maldives’ interest in deepening relations with Islamabad and exploring additional opportunities for cooperation, the Foreign Office statement said.
Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum to Explore Investment Opportunities
Economic cooperation is expected to feature prominently during President Muizzu’s visit. Dar welcomed the participation of a Maldivian business delegation in the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum, expressing hope that direct engagement between companies from both countries would generate new commercial opportunities.
The forum aims to strengthen connections between the two business communities and identify potential partnerships in trade and investment. Increased private-sector interaction could help translate the countries’ diplomatic relationship into tangible economic outcomes.
Officials are also expected to pursue agreements covering multiple areas of bilateral cooperation. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, several agreements and memorandums of understanding are anticipated during the visit.
Mohamed Muizzu’s Three-Day State Visit to Pakistan
President Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on October 20 for a three-day state visit. He is accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation that includes cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
His schedule includes a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. Muizzu is also due to hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
These meetings are expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to assess existing ties and discuss practical steps to expand cooperation. The leaders will review bilateral relations across a wide range of sectors and exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Trade, Tourism and Defence Among Key Areas of Cooperation
The Pakistan-Maldives discussions are expected to cover trade, investment, healthcare, education, tourism and agriculture. Defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people exchanges are also included in the broader agenda.
For both countries, expanding cooperation across these fields could strengthen economic links while creating opportunities for collaboration on shared regional concerns.
Tourism and business engagement are particularly important areas for further discussion, alongside education and climate-related challenges. The planned business forum and expected bilateral agreements are intended to support progress in these areas.
The two sides will also consider regional and international matters of common interest, reflecting their engagement through regional and global forums.
First Maldivian Presidential Visit to Pakistan in 11 Years
Muizzu’s visit is the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, giving the diplomatic engagement added significance. It also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which began in 1966.
Pakistan and the Maldives maintain friendly relations based on shared faith, mutual respect and longstanding goodwill. Both countries have also worked together through regional and international platforms.
The current visit offers an opportunity to reinforce those ties and develop a broader agenda for economic and diplomatic cooperation. With high-level meetings, business discussions and several potential agreements on the schedule, Islamabad and Malé are seeking to build on their historic relationship.
The outcome of the visit could help shape the next phase of Pakistan-Maldives relations, particularly in trade, investment and other areas of shared interest.
