Pakistan and Maldives sign 20 MoUs as Munir and Muizzu push defence ties

Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir held talks with visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to state-run Radio Pakistan. The two leaders discussed mutual interests, the regional security environment and ways to expand bilateral cooperation. Radio Pakistan reported that both sides emphasised the value of deepening defence cooperation, institutional links and professional exchanges, with Munir describing relations between the two countries as longstanding and cordial and reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and stability.

Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It is the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, which were established in 1966. Radio Pakistan said Muizzu praised the professionalism of Pakistan's armed forces and acknowledged the country's efforts to promote regional peace and stability.

Sharif said the two governments signed 20 memorandums of understanding covering areas including economic and trade relations, defence, training, education and health. Speaking at a joint press stakeout, he said both sides agreed to raise bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million within two years, describing the current figure as a fraction of the potential. He also said Islamabad would supply 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plant species to support the Maldives' plan to plant five million trees.

The prime minister noted that a large number of Maldivian students study at Pakistani universities and colleges, particularly in healthcare, and that 250 Pakistani doctors and paramedics work in the Maldives. He offered Pakistan's experience in setting up data centres as the Maldives moves ahead with its own plans, and said he would work personally with Muizzu to turn the signed agreements into action.

Sharif also raised international issues, expressing support for Palestinian statehood and reiterating Pakistan's position on Jammu and Kashmir and its call for a resolution in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions. He voiced serious concern over India's decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in April 2025, calling it a violation of a binding international treaty and warning that any breach would be treated as an act of war. Muizzu said the visit, coming after a decade-long gap, offered a chance to define a future partnership, and Sharif said it had given bilateral relations new purpose and momentum.