ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Singapore have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, disaster management, education, technology and people-to-people contacts.
The commitment was expressed during a joint press stakeout by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and visiting Singaporean Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in Islamabad on Friday.
Both sides agree to regular political consultations
In his opening remarks, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan and Singapore enjoyed longstanding and friendly relations based on mutual respect and goodwill. He recalled that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise Singapore following its independence in 1965.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan addressed a Joint Press Stakeout at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. https://t.co/liOQ1G7N6i
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 30, 2026
He said the visit of Dr Vivian Balakrishnan reflected the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening their longstanding friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the two sides had agreed to hold regular bilateral political consultations and promote high-level exchanges to further strengthen cooperation between their governments and institutions.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a Joint Press Stakeout with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Singapore, H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan (30 October 2026) https://t.co/7mdUOohbxB
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 30, 2026
Trade and investment cooperation in focus
Highlighting economic cooperation as a key area of discussion, Dar welcomed the significant growth in bilateral trade and said both countries had explored ways to build on the existing momentum.
He said Pakistan and Singapore had agreed to encourage closer engagement between their business communities through exchanges of business delegations and stronger institutional links between their respective chambers of commerce.
Dar described the reopening of Pakistan’s Trade and Investment Office at the country’s High Commission in Singapore as a reflection of Islamabad’s resolve to promote stronger business-to-business ties.
Cooperation in technology, education and climate
The two sides also discussed opportunities for greater cooperation in education, research, innovation, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, he added.
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 investment, strengthening cooperation in agriculture and food security, and enhancing connectivity to promote tourism and business exchanges. The two sides also explored collaboration in education, vocational training, disaster management and IT. The Singaporean Foreign Minister highlighted the potential of carbon markets to attract green investment to Pakistan. The DPM/FM emphasised the importance of stronger institutional mechanisms and regular follow-up to advance mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Singapore’s Foreign Minister commended Pakistan’s sustained efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy in the region and its important contributions to regional peace and stability.
With Pakistan having assumed the SCO Chairmanship and Singapore set to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, the Ministers underscored the importance of multilateralism in addressing shared challenges and promoting regional peace and prosperity. They also discussed ways to further strengthen Pakistan’s engagement with ASEAN.
Both sides agreed to build on the positive momentum generated by the visit, ensure timely follow-up on the understandings reached, and sustain engagement to further strengthen Pakistan-Singapore relations across all areas of mutual interest.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 30, 2026
Dar said both countries had agreed to deepen collaboration in human resource development, agriculture and climate-related initiatives while promoting cultural, academic, youth and people-to-people exchanges.
He also expressed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with Singapore in support of its priorities as ASEAN Chair and to further strengthen Pakistan-ASEAN cooperation.
Pakistan highlights position on regional issues
On regional and international developments, the Deputy Prime Minister said both countries had reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter in addressing global challenges.
He also briefed his Singaporean counterpart on Pakistan’s position regarding Palestine and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s firm support for an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestinian state based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in line with Pakistan’s longstanding policy.
He also emphasised the need for a just, durable and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Singapore FM appreciates Pakistan’s diplomatic role
In his remarks, Singaporean Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan stressed the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation in business, trade, investment, disaster management, culture, science and technology, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
He particularly appreciated Pakistan’s historic role in facilitating dialogue and helping defuse tensions during the Middle East and Gulf crisis.
Pakistan and Singapore exchange disaster management MoU
On the occasion, the two countries also exchanged documents relating to a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
The agreement is expected to provide a framework for enhanced cooperation and experience-sharing between the two countries in disaster preparedness and management.
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 Management Authority (NDMA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in Islamabad today.
The MoU reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Singapore to strengthening cooperation in disaster preparedness and response and building resilience against natural disasters.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 30, 2026
Earlier, the two leaders held talks and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in trade and investment, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
The FO said in a statement that the two leaders reviewed the “longstanding and friendly relations” between Pakistan and Singapore as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.
They underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development, while promoting business-to-business exchanges and people-to-people contacts, the statement added.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a cordial meeting with H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
The two Ministers reviewed the longstanding and friendly relations between Pakistan and Singapore as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. They underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development, while promoting business-to-business exchanges and people-to-people contacts.
They also discussed cooperation at multilateral fora and Pakistan’s enhanced engagement with ASEAN, particularly in the context of Singapore’s forthcoming Chairmanship in 2027.
Exchanging views on regional and global developments, the DPM/FM emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes and advancing lasting peace and stability.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 30, 2026
Dar and Balakrishnan also discussed cooperation at multilateral fora and Pakistan’s enhanced engagement with ASEAN, particularly in the context of Singapore’s forthcoming chairmanship of the body in 2027.
Moreover, exchanging views on regional and global developments, Dar emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes and advancing lasting peace and stability, the statement said.
PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to stronger bilateral ties
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding and friendly relations with Singapore as the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who called on him in Islamabad, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, today. https://t.co/xjLQAD4Zva
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 30, 2026
The prime minister expressed admiration for Singapore’s remarkable economic transformation and achievements in innovation and development.
He underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to its partnership with Singapore, both bilaterally and multilaterally, including within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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The two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment and expand cooperation in priority areas, including the digital economy, fintech, infrastructure development, logistics, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the services sector.
Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad on Friday at Dar’s invitation. His visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore and comes ahead of Singapore assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027.
