The Maldives and Pakistan have exchanged memorandums of understanding to strengthen cooperation in defence and maritime security, expanding security ties between the two countries.
The agreements were exchanged in Islamabad on Wednesday during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to Pakistan, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The defence cooperation MoU and the separate agreement on maritime security cooperation were exchanged by Pakistan’s Federal Secretary of Defence, Lieutenant General (Retired) Muhammad Ali, and Maldivian Minister of Defence and National Service Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon’s counterpart, Hassan Rashid.
The agreements were among 20 memorandums of understanding exchanged during the visit, covering a range of areas including healthcare, education, agriculture, fisheries, technology and tourism.
Speaking during a joint press statement, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said discussions with President Muizzu had covered strategic defence cooperation, training and capacity building.
Sharif also expressed Pakistan’s willingness to continue supporting the Maldives in areas where it could provide technical expertise and professional assistance.
President Muizzu said the two leaders had discussed cooperation in defence, policing, training and institutional capacity building as part of efforts to broaden the bilateral partnership.
The agreements form part of wider efforts by both governments to translate their longstanding diplomatic relations into expanded practical cooperation.
