President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, have discussed strengthening military cooperation, regional security and defence relations between the Maldives and Pakistan.
The discussions took place during a courtesy call by Field Marshal Munir on President Muizzu in Islamabad on Wednesday night, as the Maldivian leader continued his three-day State Visit to Pakistan.
According to Pakistan’s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting covered matters of mutual interest, the regional security situation and opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation.
Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening defence partnerships, institutional relationships and professional exchanges between the two countries.
Field Marshal Munir highlighted the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and the Maldives and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to promoting regional peace, stability and security through constructive engagement.
President Muizzu praised the professionalism of Pakistan’s Armed Forces and acknowledged the country’s efforts to advance peace and stability in the region.
The meeting followed a major expansion of bilateral cooperation earlier on Wednesday, when the Maldives and Pakistan exchanged 20 memoranda of understanding in Islamabad.
Among the agreements were separate arrangements covering defence cooperation and maritime security, exchanged by Maldivian Minister of Defence and National Service Hassan Rasheed and Pakistan’s Federal Secretary of Defence, Lieutenant General (Retired) Mohamed Ali.
President Muizzu’s State Visit, held from October 20 to 22 at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, marks the first visit by a Maldivian President to Pakistan in more than a decade.
The visit also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established on July 26, 1966.
The latest military-level engagement reflects both countries’ stated intention to deepen defence cooperation alongside their broader diplomatic and economic partnership.
