Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan discuss stronger economic links, direct flights, technology cooperation and disaster management during talks in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development.
Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad on an official visit at Dar’s invitation, as Pakistan and Singapore mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.
During their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two leaders reviewed longstanding bilateral ties and emphasised the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to strengthen economic and diplomatic cooperation.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, discussions focused on increasing business-to-business engagement, promoting investment opportunities, improving connectivity and expanding people-to-people contacts.
The ministers also discussed cooperation at multilateral forums and Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly ahead of Singapore assuming the organisation’s chairmanship in 2027.
Dar and Balakrishnan exchanged views on regional and international developments, with Pakistan’s deputy premier emphasising dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for resolving disputes and maintaining regional stability.
An important outcome of the visit was the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore’s Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.
The agreement is intended to encourage collaboration in areas including early warning systems, sharing expertise, search-and-rescue capabilities and joint training.
The visit comes as both countries seek to expand their longstanding diplomatic relationship into stronger economic and institutional partnerships.
