The Maldives and Pakistan have signed 20 agreements covering defence, maritime security, trade and other sectors at the end of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's three-day state visit to Pakistan from October 20 to 22, Madhyamam Online reported. The visit was the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Source: Madhyamam Online

Both countries agreed to raise bilateral trade from approximately $13 million to $200 million within two years — yaani, from about 1.3 crore US dollars to about 20 crore US dollars. The agreements also cover law enforcement, civil aviation, health, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and technical training, according to the same report. Muizzu returned to Malé on Friday, October 23, after concluding the visit, the Maldives Ledger reported.

Source: Maldives Ledger

At a joint press conference on October 22, Muizzu said, "The Maldives firmly believes in the value of Saarc, and in the tremendous potential of our region to address shared challenges through collective action," and called for convening the next SAARC summit at the earliest opportunity, Madhyamam reported. The eight-member South Asian grouping has remained largely inactive since its planned 2016 summit in Islamabad was cancelled following the Uri terror attack and deteriorating India-Pakistan relations; its last summit was held in Kathmandu in 2014.

Muizzu also met Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Islamabad. Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening defence cooperation, institutional linkages and professional exchanges, Pakistan's military media wing ISPR said in a statement reported by Pakistan TV and by PTI. During Muizzu's meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sharif shared Pakistan's position on Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty — Muizzu did not publicly endorse Islamabad's position on either issue, Madhyamam reported.

Source: PTI via DigitalMitra