PM Shehbaz vows to strengthen Maldives ties for 'all time to come'; 20 MoUs signed

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to enhance Pakistan's relationship with the Maldives, as 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's visit. Muizzu's three-day trip to Islamabad is the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties established in 1966.

Addressing a joint press conference, Shehbaz expressed optimism about the strengthened relations and highlighted discussions on various issues, including economic and trade relations, strategic defense cooperation, and support for training Maldivian personnel in Pakistan. Both sides agreed to increase bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million in the next two years.

The prime minister also announced that Pakistan would support Maldives in planting 5 million trees by providing cuttings and seeds. Pakistan is prepared to provide technical expertise for establishing data centers in the Maldives. The MoUs signed cover defense cooperation, maritime security, information technology, cybersecurity, combating illicit trafficking, social protection, health cooperation, youth and sports development, air connectivity, police academies, civil services, agriculture, trade, fisheries, environment, education, tourism, and arts and culture.

President Muizzu was also awarded an honorary doctorate in politics by the International Islamic University Islamabad for his leadership and public service.