Maldives President Muizzu To Visit Pakistan After 11 Years, Trade Deals Expected

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu will visit Pakistan from October 20 to 22 for a three-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, expanding economic cooperation and exploring new areas of partnership. The visit comes as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, established on July 26, 1966.

The visit, announced by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Sunday, will be the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years. Muizzu is travelling at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and will be accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising Cabinet ministers and senior officials.

During his stay, Muizzu will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. He will also hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Sharif to review bilateral relations and identify opportunities to expand cooperation.

The discussions will cover trade and investment, health, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

A Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum will be held during the visit to bring together business communities from both countries and explore fresh opportunities for trade and investment. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering different areas of bilateral cooperation are expected to be signed, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

Reports ahead of the visit have also indicated that the two sides could explore direct air connectivity, academic and research collaboration, and wider cooperation in defence and other sectors. However, the precise details of the proposed agreements have not been officially confirmed.

Preparations for the visit were discussed on October 10, when Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and coordinating to ensure a productive visit.

For the Maldives, the trip aligns with President Muizzu’s Maldives First foreign policy, which prioritises engagement with neighbouring countries and international partners to support national development.