Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan traveled to Islamabad on October 30 for an official visit hosted by Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Trade and Economic Cooperation Talks in Islamabad
During the official meetings, both ministers reviewed bilateral relations and agreed that existing political ties have not yet translated into economic engagement of a similar scale. Trade ties between Singapore and Pakistan are currently valued at around US$1.19 billion (S$1.5 billion). For comparison, Singapore’s trade with India and Bangladesh stands at approximately US$35 billion and US$3 billion respectively.
Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, today.The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding and friendly relations with Singapore,… pic.twitter.com/2yBD3J0juU
To bridge this gap, Balakrishnan stated that small and medium-sized enterprises must engage directly to understand commercial opportunities and risks across South-east Asia and South Asia. Both sides also discussed potential cooperation in the digital economy, fintech, infrastructure, logistics, education, research, artificial intelligence, agriculture, food security, climate change, vocational training, and the possible resumption of direct flights. Both ministers also discussed carbon markets.
Did You Know? Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan noted during a joint press conference that direct high-level visits between leaders of the two countries have been very rare, observing that former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong previously visited Pakistan in 2004.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, today. pic.twitter.com/xjLQAD4Zva
Singapore and Pakistan sign disaster management pact
The two countries expanded institutional linkages by signing a memorandum of understanding between the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. Balakrishnan noted that Pakistan possesses extensive experience in responding to large-scale natural disasters like floods and extreme weather events. The agreement aims to foster cooperation in early warning systems, best practices, search and rescue capabilities, and joint training exercises.
Balakrishnan also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Discussions with military and political leadership covered regional peace, evolving security dynamics, and maritime trade stability. Balakrishnan commended Pakistan for its constructive role in the Gulf region, including diplomatic efforts and mediation support involving the Strait of Hormuz. “The unique, but very constructive and valuable role that Pakistan plays is one which we commend you for, and we wish you every success because if you succeed, it’s good for all of us,” Balakrishnan said.
H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, was received by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.The two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting and… pic.twitter.com/RiOpJjcX7I
Nation prepares for upcoming ASEAN chairmanship
Looking toward future multilateral engagement, Balakrishnan highlighted upcoming leadership roles for both nations. With Singapore preparing to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2027 and Pakistan leading the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Balakrishnan noted that these positions will create new opportunities for the two diverse regional blocs to collaborate more closely. Pakistan already serves as a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN. Dar conveyed his best wishes for Singapore’s upcoming ASEAN chairmanship, stating, “We look forward to working closely with Singapore in support of its priorities as chairman and to further strengthen Pakistan-ASEAN cooperation.” Balakrishnan also stated, “So, I will work closely with you in strengthening the ties between Pakistan and ASEAN, and also between the two regional blocs.” Furthermore, Balakrishnan stated that “we welcome the opportunities to deepen cooperation between our institutes of higher learning, which includes the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore with Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technology.”
Engaging Pakistan provides an opportunity to build disaster resilience and explore cooperation as Singapore prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027.
Foreign Minister Balakrishnan visits Pakistan for diamond jubilee
What prompted Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s visit to Pakistan?
Balakrishnan visited Islamabad on October 30 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Pakistan.
What specific trade figures were discussed during the meetings?
Bilateral trade between Singapore and Pakistan currently stands at approximately US$1.19 billion (S$1.5 billion). During the talks, officials contrasted this figure with Singapore’s trade values with India and Bangladesh, which are roughly US$35 billion and US$3 billion respectively.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, held productive delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.Discussions focused on expanding trade and… pic.twitter.com/G7ewKtvBKV
What formal agreement was signed during the visit?
The Singapore Civil Defence Force and Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority exchanged a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on early warning systems, search and rescue capabilities, shared best practices, and joint disaster management exercises.
How might Singapore’s upcoming 2027 ASEAN chairmanship create opportunities for greater cooperation between Singapore and Pakistan?
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster… pic.twitter.com/0ethw7hiPv
More on Islamabad
🇵🇰🇸🇬Pakistan, Singapore foreign ministers meet in Islamabad, discuss bilateral ties and ASEAN cooperation▪️Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, on an official visit to Pakistan, met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the… pic.twitter.com/tQ9zLvIde2
#WATCH: Pakistan and Singapore sign MoUs on cooperation in disaster management and civil defense during Singaporean foreign minister's visit to Islamabad. https://t.co/h4Q2Z0N25M pic.twitter.com/PT9ZpP28DV