Maldives and Pakistan sign 20 agreements, including pacts to strengthen defense cooperation
21 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ބުދަ 15:22During President Muizzu's official visit to Pakistan, several key agreements were signed to bolster cooperation in vital sectors including healthcare, trade, and professional training. These memorandums of understanding, which involve major entities such as the State Trading Organization (STO) and the Civil Service Commission, are expected to significantly strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations, according to government officials.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs pays a courtesy call on the President. | Presidents Office
The Maldives and Pakistan have signed 20 agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation, including enhancements in the field of defense.
The agreements were signed on Wednesday during the President's ongoing state visit to Pakistan. The President and the First Lady departed for Pakistan on Tuesday morning.
The agreements exchanged during a special ceremony held in Pakistan include:
- Maldives and Pakistan sign agreement to launch direct flights
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Health Sector
- Two agreements signed in the education sector
- Agreement on Financial and Technological Cooperation
- Agreement to Strengthen Inter-Parliamentary Relations
- Agreement to collaborate on climate change action
- Strengthening cooperation in the media sector
- Agreement signed to strengthen cooperation in youth empowerment and sports development
- Agreement to Strengthen Cooperation in the Tourism Sector
- Agreement signed to strengthen cooperation in culture, heritage, and the arts
- Agreement to strengthen cooperation in the field of environmental protection
- Agreement to Strengthen Cooperation in the Agricultural Sector
- Agreement to Strengthen Defense Cooperation
- Agreement signed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security
- Strengthening cooperation in the fields of information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, innovation, and productivity.
- Agreement signed to collaborate on combatting trafficking and narcotics
- Agreement signed to collaborate on ensuring social protection
In addition to these agreements, several memorandums of understanding were also signed between various institutions of the Maldives and Pakistan.
To strengthen bilateral cooperation in the health sector, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Furthermore, two separate agreements were signed between the Civil Service Commission of the Maldives and the Federal Public Service Commission of Pakistan.
Furthermore, an agreement has been signed between the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement of the Maldives and the Police Academy of Pakistan to facilitate police training. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Trading Organization (STO) and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to ensure the supply of essential commodities to the Maldives.
The Maldivian government stated that these agreements will elevate bilateral relations to new heights. During a courtesy call on President Muizzu, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, further reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to strengthening the ties between the two nations.
