{
  "id": 17234960,
  "title": "‘Better late than never,’ says Balakrishnan on first Pakistan visit by S’pore leader in two decades",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/better-late-than-never-says-balakrishnan-on-first-pakistan-visit-by",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-30T14:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/better-late-than-never-says-balakrishnan-on-first-pakistan-visit-by-spore-leader-in-two-decades"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan made his first visit to Pakistan in two decades, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The trip focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment flows, and technological upskilling. Balakrishnan highlighted that the visit, though delayed, was \"better late than never,\" as former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong had visited in 2004.\n\nDuring the visit, Balakrishnan and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed various topics, including the improvement of trade relations and economic cooperation. They also explored areas like carbon markets, noting that Singapore's trade with Pakistan is currently valued at around US$1.19 billion, compared to Singapore's trade with India and Bangladesh at US$35 billion and US$3 billion, respectively.\n\nThe two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen disaster preparedness and response. The agreement allows Singapore's Civil Defence Force to collaborate with Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, focusing on early warning systems, best practices sharing, search and rescue capabilities, and joint training exercises.\n\nBalakrishnan also praised Pakistan's constructive role in the Gulf region's crisis and reaffirmed both nations' commitment to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. He emphasized the importance of remaining open and engaged with each other, especially in an uncertain global environment.",
  "summary": "The last high-level visits to Pakistan were by former PM Goh Chok Tong in 2004 and then foreign minister George Yeo in 2005.",
  "key_points": [
    "Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Pakistan for the first time in two decades.",
    "Visit marked 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.",
    "Balakrishnan and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister signed MOU for disaster preparedness and response."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}