ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday to expand Pakistan-Singapore trade, investment and economic cooperation.
The two ministers met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during Balakrishnan’s official visit to Pakistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said they discussed cooperation in connectivity, skills development and business exchanges.
Both sides reviewed bilateral relations as Pakistan and Singapore marked 60 years of diplomatic ties. During delegation-level talks, Dar acknowledged that economic cooperation had not kept pace with their longstanding diplomatic relationship.
He proposed closer coordination between Pakistan’s Board of Investment and its Singaporean counterpart. Dar said economic diplomacy remained a priority and expressed confidence that joint efforts could strengthen commercial relations.
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The ministers also discussed cooperation through international organisations and Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Singapore will assume the regional organization’s chairmanship in 2027. Meanwhile, Dar called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve international disputes and promote regional stability.
He said the ministers discussed Palestine and Kashmir in a separate meeting. Balakrishnan recalled Pakistan’s early recognition of Singapore following its independence.
He welcomed the anniversary of bilateral relations and acknowledged the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
Before the visit, Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced plans to exchange a disaster management memorandum of understanding.
The proposed arrangement involves Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
