Pakistan, Maldives Sign 20 MoUs to Strengthen Bilateral Relations
On environmental cooperation, Muizzu stressed that climate change posed a direct threat to the Maldives’ security, development and future.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday pledged to strengthen Pakistan’s bilateral relations with the Maldives as the two countries signed 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering defence, trade, education, healthcare, tourism, technology and other sectors.
Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day visit at the invitation of the prime minister. The visit marks 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 conference after the MoU signing ceremony, Shehbaz welcomed Muizzu and his delegation, expressing confidence that bilateral relations would continue to grow.
“There is no doubt that the two countries [will] keep on strengthening these relations for all time to come,” the prime minister said.
He added that discussions with the Maldivian president covered bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international developments.
Pakistan, Maldives Target $200m in Bilateral Trade
Shehbaz announced that Pakistan and the Maldives had agreed to increase bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million over the next two years.
He said the existing trade volume represented only a fraction of the two countries’ economic potential, despite their strong relations and longstanding cooperation.
The prime minister highlighted opportunities to expand economic ties, strengthen defence cooperation and increase training opportunities for Maldivian citizens in Pakistan across healthcare, education, policing and other fields.
He also offered Pakistan’s technical expertise to support the Maldives in developing data centres, noting that Islamabad had gained professional experience in the sector.
Shehbaz said a significant number of Maldivian students were studying at Pakistani universities and colleges, particularly in healthcare-related disciplines. He added that around 250 Pakistani doctors and other paramedical staff were serving in the Maldives.
Pakistan, he assured Muizzu, was willing to expand educational and professional cooperation to meet the Maldives’ future requirements.
Pakistan Offers Support for Maldives’ Tree Plantation Drive
The prime minister announced that Pakistan would support 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.
Shehbaz said he would work with Muizzu to ensure the effective implementation of the agreements through timely decisions and coordinated action.
He also expressed Pakistan’s readiness to extend technical assistance across sectors covered by the bilateral cooperation framework.
Leaders Discuss Palestine, Kashmir and Indus Waters Treaty
During the talks, Shehbaz appreciated the Maldives’ continued support for the Palestinian cause and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.
The prime minister also briefed Muizzu on Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating Islamabad’s support for a peaceful resolution in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Shehbaz said Pakistan would continue to support the Kashmiri people diplomatically and at international forums until their right to self-determination was realised.
The prime minister also expressed serious concern over India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance in April 2025, describing the move 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 blackmail,” he said.
Shehbaz reiterated that water remained a red line for Pakistan, warning that any violation in this regard would be regarded by the country as an act of war.
He stressed that shared water resources should promote prosperity and cooperation rather than confrontation and conflict.
Muizzu Calls for a New Era of Cooperation
Muizzu thanked Shehbaz, the government and people of Pakistan for their hospitality, describing his visit as particularly significant because it coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
He said the visit, the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in a decade, provided an opportunity to build on the countries’ longstanding friendship and establish a stronger partnership for the future.
The Maldivian president said discussions covered trade and investment, healthcare, education, environmental protection, fisheries, agriculture, youth development, sports, policing, defence, tourism and professional training.
Welcoming the signing of 20 MoUs, Muizzu stressed that the agreements would be meaningful only if translated into tangible benefits for the people of both countries.
He endorsed the target of increasing bilateral trade to $200 million within two years, describing Pakistan and the Maldives as countries with considerable untapped economic potential.
Muizzu also highlighted the importance of the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum, saying it would bring together business leaders and innovators to explore investment opportunities.
Direct Flights, Tourism and Education Among Priorities
The Maldivian president said discussions on establishing direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives were encouraging, adding that improved air connectivity could support tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties.
He also identified halal and Muslim-friendly tourism as areas with considerable potential for cooperation.
Muizzu welcomed Pakistan’s scholarships and educational placements for Maldivian students, saying both countries intended to expand opportunities in healthcare, artificial intelligence, digitisation and emerging technologies.
He said preparing young people for future challenges was a shared priority.
On environmental cooperation, Muizzu stressed that climate change posed a direct threat to the Maldives’ security, development and future.
He welcomed cooperation with Pakistan in climate resilience, conservation, sustainable waste management and renewable energy. He also thanked Shehbaz for the tree-plantation assistance announced during the visit.
Maldives Supports Revitalisation of Saarc
Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).
He said rebuilding trust, promoting meaningful dialogue and strengthening mutual understanding were essential to unlocking the potential of regional cooperation.
The Maldivian president also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, while commending Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation, humanitarian assistance and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Concluding his remarks, Muizzu said the two countries would build a new era of partnership on the foundations of six decades of friendship.
During his visit, Muizzu was also conferred an honorary doctorate in politics by the International Islamic University Islamabad. Shehbaz said the degree recognised the Maldivian president’s leadership and public service.
Details of 20 MoUs Signed
The 20 memorandums of understanding signed in the presence of both countries’ leaders cover a broad range of areas, including:
- Defence cooperation
- Maritime security
- Information technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence
- Combating illicit trafficking and narcotics
- Social protection
- Healthcare and cooperation between food regulatory authorities
- Recruitment of healthcare professionals
- Vocational training
- Youth and sports development
- Enhanced air connectivity
- Cooperation between police academies
- Cooperation between the Maldives Civil Service Commission, Pakistan’s Federal Public Service Commission and the Civil Service Academy
- Agriculture
- Trade
- Fisheries
- Environmental protection
- Education
- Tourism
- Arts and culture
The agreements are intended to strengthen institutional links and expand cooperation across economic, social, technological and security-related sectors.
Before the signing ceremony, Muizzu received a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House. He also met federal ministers and planted a sapling at the premises, where prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of both countries.
Dar Meets Maldivian President
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Muizzu and welcomed him and his delegation to Pakistan, according to the Foreign Office.
Dar emphasised the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.
He also welcomed the Maldivian business delegation attending the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum and expressed hope that business-to-business engagements would generate concrete trade and investment opportunities.
Muizzu expressed his country’s desire to deepen relations with Pakistan and explore additional areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Last month, Maldivian parliamentary speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir in Rawalpindi.
In May 2015, former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom visited Pakistan for two days at the invitation of then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
