President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reiterated a call for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) during his state visit to Pakistan.
Speaking after talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Muizzu highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation in South Asia alongside the bilateral agreements signed between the two countries. SAARC has remained largely inactive since 2014, with meetings stalled amid tensions between India and Pakistan.
The visit itself produced 20 memoranda of understanding covering defence, maritime security, technology, health, education, fisheries, agriculture, tourism and other fields, as well as a shared target to raise bilateral trade to $200 million within two years. Muizzu described the outcomes as an opportunity to build a stronger partnership on six decades of diplomatic relations.
Maldivian officials have previously emphasised the value of regional platforms for small states. The call for SAARC’s reactivation comes at a time when the Maldives is also deepening engagement with multiple partners across the Indian Ocean region.
Further comments on regional issues are expected as the visit concludes.
