Singapore Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan on October 30

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will visit Islamabad on October 30 for high-level talks with Pakistan’s leadership, with disaster management cooperation and regional developments expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced on Thursday that Balakrishnan would undertake the official visit at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The visit carries particular significance as Pakistan and Singapore mark the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. It also comes ahead of Singapore’s assumption of the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2027.

During the visit, Dar and Balakrishnan will hold bilateral discussions covering the full range of relations between the two countries. They will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, according to the Foreign Office.

A key outcome of the visit will be the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on disaster management cooperation between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore’s Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The agreement is expected to provide a framework for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in disaster preparedness and response, an area of particular importance for countries facing natural hazards and other emergencies.

Balakrishnan will also call on Pakistan’s leadership during his stay in Islamabad, the Foreign Office said.

Describing the relationship as cordial and rooted in mutual respect and longstanding friendship, the FO said the visit reflected both countries’ shared commitment to deepening and diversifying their bilateral partnership.

The visit follows a telephone conversation between Dar and Balakrishnan in May, when the Pakistani foreign minister sought Singapore’s assistance in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian nationals aboard vessels seized by the United States.

The upcoming talks offer an opportunity for Islamabad and Singapore to strengthen diplomatic engagement, expand practical cooperation and explore areas of common interest as both countries navigate evolving regional and global challenges.

With six decades of diplomatic relations behind them, the two sides are looking to build on their longstanding ties through closer coordination and broader cooperation in the years ahead.