Singapore FM’s visit focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, infrastructure and digital technologies: FO

On a visit to Pakistan, Singapore's Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to bolster trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructure and digital technologies cooperation between the two nations. During their meetings, they reviewed the breadth of their bilateral relationship and shared perspectives on regional and global affairs.

They also discussed the future of Pakistan's collaboration with ASEAN, particularly in light of Singapore's upcoming year as ASEAN chair in 2027.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore's Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to better coordinate disaster management efforts, including preparedness, response, and resilience. This agreement marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries, highlighting their dedication to strengthening their long-standing alliance.

During his visit, Dr Balakrishnan also met with Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to discuss regional security and potential bilateral cooperation avenues. He paid a visit to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who praised Singapore's economic transformation, innovation, and development achievements. Both sides underscored their commitment to ongoing engagement and cooperation at bilateral and multilateral platforms.

Additionally, Dr Balakrishnan and Dar explored the potential reestablishment of direct flights between Pakistan and Singapore, a move aimed at facilitating business travel and closer cultural ties between the two peoples.