Pakistan, Maldives eye trade and connectivity boost

September 24, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Maldives have agreed on the importance of exploring new avenues to strengthen bilateral ties, with Pakistan calling for wider parliamentary exchanges and stronger cooperation in trade, investment, education, defence and climate change.

Acting Senate Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar met Maldivian People's Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah and his parliamentary delegation on Thursday, APP reported

The two sides discussed bilateral relations, parliamentary diplomacy, trade and investment, education, defence, tourism, climate change, people-to-people contacts and other matters of mutual interest.

Members of the National Assembly, senators, members of the Maldivian delegation and senior officials of the Senate Secretariat were also present.

Syedaal Khan Nasar said ties between the two countries rested on mutual respect, trust, shared interests, Islamic brotherhood and long-standing friendship, and that Pakistan valued its relations with Maldives both bilaterally and within SAARC, the OIC and the UN.

He said parliamentary diplomacy could deepen mutual understanding, institutional cooperation and people-to-people contacts, and called for more parliamentary exchanges, sharing of experiences and stronger linkages between the two legislatures.

On the economy, he said the two countries had significant room to expand trade, and stressed the need for better direct air and maritime connectivity, improved market access and greater private-sector involvement.

Pakistan, he said, had considerable export potential in textiles, rice, cement, meat, vegetables, fruits and pharmaceuticals, among other sectors.

He also pushed for more opportunities for Maldivian students at Pakistani universities, particularly in medicine, engineering, pharmacy, dentistry and other professional fields.

Syedaal Khan Nasar said both countries were heavily affected by climate change and called for greater cooperation in climate research, exchange of experiences, capacity building and joint initiatives.

He also urged closer cooperation in defence training, maritime security and capacity building, saying stronger institutional links in these areas would build mutual confidence and strengthen bilateral ties.

He pointed to the Parliament building in Malé as a prominent symbol of the friendship and development cooperation between the two countries, adding that Pakistan's role in its construction and support for other development projects reflected the depth and durability of the relationship.

Abdul Raheem Abdullah said Maldives greatly valued its fraternal relations with Pakistan, which had deepened in recent years, and that his country wanted to expand cooperation in trade, investment, education, defence and diplomacy.

He praised Pakistan's constructive role internationally and said it had consistently stood by Maldives in difficult times and helped in various fields. He also thanked Pakistan for its assistance, development support and cooperation programmes, including the construction of the Parliament building in Malé.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with existing cooperation.

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