President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has extended an official invitation to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit the Maldives, as the two countries seek to strengthen bilateral relations following the exchange of 20 agreements covering key areas of cooperation.
The invitation was extended on Wednesday during President Muizzu’s state visit to Pakistan, where he held high-level discussions with Prime Minister Sharif aimed at expanding diplomatic, economic and institutional ties between the two nations.
Speaking at the Pakistani Prime Minister’s official residence in Islamabad, President Muizzu expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to him and the Maldivian delegation, saying he looked forward to welcoming Sharif to the Maldives.
The invitation followed a ceremony during which the two governments exchanged 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), establishing frameworks for cooperation in sectors including trade, healthcare, education, defence, transport and technology.
President Muizzu described the discussions as an important step towards strengthening a relationship that has developed over six decades.
He said both leaders had agreed to build on the existing partnership and pursue a new phase of bilateral cooperation, with greater emphasis on creating opportunities that would deliver practical benefits to the people of both countries.
The President expressed renewed confidence in the future of Maldives-Pakistan relations following his discussions with Sharif, indicating that the agreements reached during the visit would provide a foundation for closer engagement.
He also voiced optimism that the commitments made by both governments would lead to new opportunities for economic development and institutional collaboration.
The latest diplomatic engagements come as the Maldives and Pakistan commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1966.
Over the years, the two countries have maintained cooperation in education, defence training, healthcare and other areas, supported by longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people connections.
President Muizzu’s three-day visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Sharif, marks the first visit by a Maldivian head of state to Pakistan in 11 years.
The visit has included bilateral discussions, ceremonial engagements and the exchange of agreements intended to broaden cooperation between the two governments.
Among the agreements is an arrangement between the State Trading Organization (STO) of the Maldives and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan to strengthen cooperation in supplying essential commodities.
Other agreements address the recruitment of healthcare professionals, technical and vocational education, maritime security, tourism, fisheries, agriculture and digital technology.
The two countries have also agreed to pursue closer cooperation in air connectivity, potentially creating additional opportunities for travel, tourism and commercial exchanges.
During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif announced an ambition to increase bilateral trade from the current USD 13.9 million to USD 200 million over the next two years.
The target reflects efforts by both governments to strengthen commercial relations, which have remained relatively modest despite their longstanding diplomatic partnership.
President Muizzu said the agreements exchanged in Islamabad would help open new avenues of cooperation and further strengthen the friendship between the Maldives and Pakistan.
He also conveyed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sharif, the Pakistani government and the people of Pakistan for the reception and hospitality extended to him during the visit.
The President expressed hope that the relationship between the two countries would continue to develop over future generations, with the latest engagements marking the beginning of a more extensive partnership.
While an invitation has now been extended, no dates or arrangements for a possible visit by Prime Minister Sharif to the Maldives have been announced.
A reciprocal visit would provide another opportunity for the two leaders to review progress on the agreements reached in Islamabad and explore further areas of cooperation.
