Maldives president visits Pakistan after 11-year gap

ISLAMABAD: Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between Pakistan and the Maldives.

Muizzu is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit is particularly significant as it marks the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years. It also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1966.

During his stay, the Maldivian president is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. He will also hold formal talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at both restricted and delegation levels.

According to the Foreign Office, the discussions will cover the full range of bilateral relations, with particular attention to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, healthcare, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security and climate change. Both sides are also expected to explore opportunities for greater people-to-people exchanges.

The leaders will exchange views on regional and international developments and discuss areas of mutual interest.

A Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum is also planned during the visit. The forum aims to bring together business representatives from both countries to identify investment opportunities, encourage trade and strengthen economic ties.

Several agreements and memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed to expand cooperation across different sectors.

A Maldivian delegation led by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam arrived in Islamabad earlier on Tuesday. The delegation includes cabinet ministers and senior officials and was received by Pakistani and Maldivian diplomatic representatives.

The visit comes as both countries seek to deepen their longstanding friendship and broaden cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic engagement.

The last visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan took place in May 2015, when former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom visited the country for two days at the invitation of then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.