Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed to strengthen bilateral relations with the Maldives as the two countries signed 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the visit of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to Islamabad.
Muizzu arrived on Tuesday for a three-day visit at the invitation of PM Shehbaz. The visit is the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1966.
Addressing a joint press stakeout after bilateral and delegation-level talks, PM Shehbaz said the two countries would continue strengthening their relations. He announced an agreement to increase bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million over the next two years, acknowledging that current trade volumes did not reflect the potential of their economic cooperation.
The prime minister said the discussions covered bilateral, regional and international issues, while the 20 MoUs spanned several sectors. He pledged to ensure their swift implementation through prompt decisions and technical cooperation.
Shehbaz also announced Pakistan’s support for the Maldives’ plan to plant five million trees by providing 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plant species within a mutually agreed timeframe.
Highlighting opportunities in technology, he offered Pakistan’s expertise in establishing data centres to support the Maldives’ digital ambitions. He also noted that many Maldivian students were studying at Pakistani universities and colleges, particularly in healthcare, while around 250 Pakistani doctors and paramedics were serving in the Maldives. He pledged to expand cooperation in education and healthcare.
The agreements cover defence, information technology, cybersecurity, health, education, social protection, agriculture, tourism, environmental cooperation, fisheries, youth and sports, policing, training and capacity-building.
President Muizzu welcomed the agreements, saying they reflected a shared ambition to move bilateral relations into a new era. He stressed that the MoUs must translate into tangible opportunities and benefits for people in both countries and endorsed the $200 million trade target.
He said a business forum scheduled for Thursday would bring together business leaders, innovators and investors to explore mutually beneficial opportunities. Muizzu also welcomed discussions on establishing direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives, saying improved connectivity would support tourism and economic ties.
Both leaders identified significant potential in halal and Muslim-friendly tourism. Muizzu also expressed interest in expanding educational opportunities for Maldivian students, particularly in artificial intelligence, digitisation, future technologies and healthcare.
Emphasising climate change as a direct challenge to the Maldives’ security and development, Muizzu welcomed cooperation with Pakistan in climate resilience, conservation, sustainable waste management and renewable energy. He thanked Shehbaz for Pakistan’s contribution to the Maldives’ tree-planting initiative.
On international issues, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. He also reiterated Islamabad’s position on occupied Jammu and Kashmir, calling for a peaceful settlement in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The prime minister expressed serious concern over India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance in April 2025, describing it as a violation of a legally binding international agreement.
“Legally binding treaties must be respected and shared water resources must never be weaponised or used as an instrument of political pressure or blackmailing,” he said, reiterating that water was a red line for Pakistan.
Shehbaz warned that any violation concerning shared water resources would be regarded by Pakistan as an act of war, stressing that water should promote prosperity and cooperation rather than confrontation.
Muizzu expressed the Maldives’ steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination. He also appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation, humanitarian assistance and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The Maldivian president further reaffirmed his country’s commitment to revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), stressing the importance of rebuilding trust, meaningful dialogue and regional understanding.
Muizzu thanked Pakistan’s government and people for their hospitality, describing the visit as an opportunity to build a future partnership on six decades of friendship. He also received an honorary doctorate in politics from the International Islamic University Islamabad in recognition of his leadership and public service.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Muizzu and discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism. Dar also welcomed the Maldivian business delegation and expressed hope that business-to-business engagements would generate concrete investment and trade opportunities.
Muizzu reiterated the Maldives’ desire to deepen its longstanding relationship with Pakistan and explore new avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation.