A day of high-level meetings

Pakistan and Singapore on Friday expressed their resolve to deepen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation, as Singaporean Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan held a series of high-level meetings with the country's leadership in Islamabad. The visit came as the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.

Balakrishnan called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, where the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment and expand cooperation in the digital economy, fintech, infrastructure development, logistics, small and medium enterprises and the services sector. The premier reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to its longstanding relations with Singapore.

Defence and security talks

Separately, Balakrishnan called on Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. According to Inter-Services Public Relations, the two discussed matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional peace and stability.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Balakrishnan earlier, reviewing the longstanding relationship and discussing greater cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development. Balakrishnan was also hosted to lunch by Dar, and visited the National Center of Artificial Intelligence at the National University of Sciences and Technology.

A disaster-management agreement

The ministers exchanged a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in disaster management between Singapore's Civil Defence Force and Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness and response. The agreement takes effect from the date of signature and remains in force until either party terminates it with 90 days' written notice.

Sources: Singapore MFA | Centreline