Islamabad:Pakistan and Singapore have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in fields such as trade, investment, disaster management, and people-to-people contacts.
According to Radio Pakistan, this commitment was expressed during a joint press stakeout by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and the visiting Foreign Minister of Singapore, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, in Islamabad. In his opening remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the longstanding and friendly relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect and goodwill.
Ishaq Dar noted that the visit of Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the friendship and broadening cooperation between Pakistan and Singapore. He mentioned that during the talks, both nations agreed to hold regular bilateral political consultations and promote high-level exchanges to enhance cooperation between their governments and institutions. Economic cooperation was also a central topic, with both sides welcoming the significant growth in bilateral trade and discussing ways to build on this progress.
Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the reopening of the Pakistan Trade Investment Office at the High Commission in Singapore, underscoring Pakistan's resolve to foster stronger business-to-business ties with Singapore. The discussions also covered potential collaborations in education, research and innovation, human resource development, agriculture, and climate domains, while encouraging cultural, academic, youth, and people-to-people exchanges.
On regional and international issues, both sides reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, respect for international law, and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter. Pakistan shared its perspectives on the Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir disputes, emphasizing support for an independent Palestinian state and a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
The Foreign Minister of Singapore emphasized enhancing bilateral cooperation in business, trade, investment, disaster management, culture, and science and technology. He praised Pakistan's mediatory role in easing tensions and facilitating dialogue in the Middle East and Gulf regions. The two countries also exchanged documents regarding a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.