Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday the possible resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Singapore “to facilitate business travel and close contact between our peoples”.
Dar shared this while addressing a press conference alongside Balakrishnan, who is on an official visit to Pakistan.
He began by saying that Pakistan and Singapore enjoyed longstanding and friendly ties focused on mutual respect and good will, and Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore following its independence in 1965.
He noted that Balakrishnan’s visit to Pakistan was the first one by a Singaporean foreign minister in over two decades.
“I am grateful that he was kind to accept my invitation,” he said, adding that the trip was particularly significant as the two countries were commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.
“The visit reflects our shared commitment to strengthen this friendship and broaden our cooperation.”
Dar said that delegation-level talks and a restricted meeting between the two sides earlier in the day focused on strengthening political and economic ties, expanding cooperation in technology and education and promoting culture and people-to-people contact.
“We also exchanged views on key regional and international developments,” he added.
He further stated that the two sides had recognised “the considerable untapped potential in our relationship” and stressed the importance of sustained engagement.
“We agreed to hold regular bilateral political consultation and promote high-level exchanges to strengthen cooperation between our governments and institutions,” he said, adding that economic cooperation was central to the discussions.
He said “we welcomed the significant growth” in bilateral trade between the two countries and discussed ways to build on this progress further. “We agreed to encourage closer engagement between our business communities through the exchange of business delegations and stronger links between our chambers of commerce,” he elaborated.
Moreover, Dar continued, the reopening of the Trade and Investment Office at Pakistan’s High Commission in Singapore had also been discussed.
“The reopening of the Pakistan Trade and Investment Office is a testament to Pakistan’s resolve to promote stronger B2B ties with our friendly country Singapore.”
Beyond trade and investment, he said, “we discussed the scope for closer cooperation in education, research and innovation, including digital technologies and artificial intelligence. We also considered ways to strengthen links between our universities and research institutions. We also agreed to deepen cooperation in human resource development, agriculture and climate domains”.
Dra noted that Pakistani professionals in Singapore contributed to its economy and society and served as a “valuable bridge between our two nations”.
He said, “We agreed to encourage greater cultural, academic, youth and people-to-people exchanges.”
Moreover, he said, “We also discussed the possible resumption of direct flights to facilitate business travel and close contact between our peoples.”
Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as the country’s “oldest sectoral dialogue partner” also came under discussion, Dar said.
“Pakistan attaches great importance to practical cooperation with the organisation and its member states. I convey Pakistan’s best wishes to Singapore as it prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship in 2027.
“We look forward to working closely with Singapore in support of its priorities as the chair and to further strengthening the Pakistan-Asean cooperation.”
Dar said the meetings in Islamabad also presented the opportunity to share perspectives on regional and international peace and the security landscape.
“We discussed the impact of regional tensions on maritime trade,” he said, adding that secure sea routes and uninterrupted supply chains were essential to trade and economic stability.
He said the two sides had reaffirmed the central role of dialogue and diplomacy, respect for international law and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter in addressing regional and global challenges.
The DPM said he had conveyed to the visiting dignitary that Pakistan remained engaged with key regional international partners to encourage continued dialogue and diplomacy as it was the “only viable means to resolve outstanding challenges”.
On Palestine, he said, “I expressed concern over the continued expansion of illegal settlements and efforts to alter the status of the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif. I stressed the urgent need for unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. I reiterated firm support for an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous state of Palestine based on pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, which is the stated policy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.
Talks on enhancing trade, investment cooperation
Earlier, the two leader held talks and discussed ways enhance cooperation in trade and investment, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day. He called on DPM Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The FO said in a statement that the two leaders reviewed the “longstanding and friendly relations” between Pakistan and Singapore as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.
They underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development, while promoting business-to-business exchanges and people-to-people contacts, the statement added.
Dar and Balakrishnan also discussed cooperation at multilateral fora and Pakistan’s enhanced engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, particularly in the context of Singapore’s forthcoming chairmanship of the body in 2027.
Moreover, exchanging views on regional and global developments, Dar emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes and advancing lasting peace and stability, the statement said.
Later, their opening remarks from delegation-level talks between the two sides were televised, with Dar saying that the depth of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore was not reflected in economic ties.
He said his focus had been on “economic diplomacy” after joining the Foreign Office, adding: “If we work together, […] I am sure we can reach a new level of economic relations.”
The DPM further suggested the Board of Investment in Pakistan could work with its counterpart in Singapore.
He said the two countries had “great cooperation” on multilateral issues and Singapore’s interest in regional issues was “greatly appreciated”.
“You remain in touch, and we keep sharing developments with you.”
He added that the two had also discussed Palestine and Kashmir issues, among other matters, in a restricted meeting.
“So I think this friendship and great cooperation will continue from our side, and I am sure you will always reciprocate, rather go a mile ahead of us,” the DPM said.
For his part, the Singaporean foreign minister recalled that Pakistan was one of the “early countries to recognise Singapore post independence”. He pointed out that Singapore was 61 and was commemorating 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
MoU exchanged
After the meeting, the DPM Dar and Balakrishnan also exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force in Islamabad.
“The MoU reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Singapore to strengthening cooperation in disaster preparedness and response and building resilience against natural disasters,” the FO statement on the document’s exchange said.
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