CDF Munir, Singapore's FM discuss regional security and bilateral cooperation
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir met with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday, where the two discussed regional security and avenues for bilateral cooperation, according to the military’s media wing.
In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the foreign minister, who is currently in the country on an official visit, called on CDF Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics and avenues for bilateral cooperation, it said.
“Both sides exchanged views on regional peace and stability and underscored the importance of sustained engagement and cooperation in areas of shared interest,” the statement read.
During the meeting, CDF Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Singapore, including enhancing “institutional linkages and constructive engagement for promoting regional peace, stability and security”.
The Singaporean diplomat reciprocated the commitment and lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces. He acknowledged Pakistan’s role in regional peace and stability, ISPR added.
PM admires Singapore’s ‘remarkable economic transformation’
Earlier, the foreign minister met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which the premier expressed admiration for Singapore’s “remarkable economic transformation” and achievements in innovation and development.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding and friendly relations with Singapore, particularly as the two countries are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
“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),” it said.
The statement said that 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 enterprises and the services sector. They also discussed exploring new avenues for mutually beneficial economic cooperation and enhancing people-to-people contacts.
“The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement and cooperation at bilateral and multilateral fora,” it said.
Possible resumption of direct flights discussed
The meetings came shortly after Dar discussed with the visiting diplomat the possible resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Singapore “to facilitate business travel and close contact between our peoples”.
Dar shared this while addressing a press conference alongside Balakrishnan. He began by saying that Pakistan and Singapore enjoyed longstanding and friendly ties focused on mutual respect and goodwill, and Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore following its independence in 1965.
He noted that Balakrishnan’s visit to Pakistan was the first one by a Singaporean foreign minister in over two decades.
“I am grateful that he was kind to accept my invitation,” he said, adding that the trip was particularly significant as the two countries were commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.
which we commend you for, and we wish you every success because if you succeed, it’s good for all of us.”
He emphasised that international law was critical for both Pakistan and Singapore.
And in the case of Singapore, he said, “because we are an island city state and our trade volume is three times our GDP, the maritime arena is essential. And therefore, the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea 1982, which sets out the freedom of navigation and overflight, especially in straits used for international navigation as a right not by the grace of littoral powers — This is of acute importance to us, and we are very, very heartened that Pakistan stands in exactly the same position this issue with us”.
He noted that Singapore would take the chairmanship of Asean next year while Pakistan was already the chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. This, he said, would present another set of opportunities for these two regional blocs, “two dynamic, diverse regional blocs, to look for opportunities to do together”.
He then moved on to education, saying that opportunities in this area were also discussed.
“We are living in an age of a new industrial revolution, AI and digital technologies, and it is essential to ensure that our young people have the relevant skills not for yesterday’s jobs, but for tomorrow’s jobs.
“And so, this emphasis on skills and relevant qualifications and capability and human talent development is another very important area for cooperation between Pakistan and Singapore,” he added.
Talks on enhancing trade, investment cooperation
Earlier, Dar and Balakrishnan held talks and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in trade and investment, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day. He called on DPM Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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.
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.
Delegation-level talks
Later, their opening remarks from delegation-level talks between the two sides were televised, with Dar saying that the depth of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore was not reflected in economic ties.
He said his focus had been on “economic diplomacy” after joining the Foreign Office, adding: “If we work together, […] I am sure we can reach a new level of economic relations.”
The DPM further suggested the Board of Investment in Pakistan could work with its counterpart in Singapore.
He said the two countries had “great cooperation” on multilateral issues and Singapore’s interest in regional issues was “greatly appreciated”.
“You remain in touch, and we keep sharing developments with you.”
He added that the two had also discussed Palestine and Kashmir issues, among other matters, in a restricted meeting.
“So I think this friendship and great cooperation will continue from our side, and I am sure you will always reciprocate, rather go a mile ahead of us,” the DPM said.
For his part, the Singaporean foreign minister recalled that Pakistan was one of the “early countries to recognise Singapore post independence”. He pointed out that Singapore was 61 years old and was commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
According to the FO, the delegation-level talks 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 information technology. The Singaporean foreign minister highlighted the potential of carbon markets to attract green investment to Pakistan. Dar emphasised the importance of stronger institutional mechanisms and regular follow-up to advance mutually beneficial cooperation,” it said.
“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,” it added.
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,” it said.
After the meeting, Dar and Balakrishnan also exchanged an MoU on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force in Islamabad.
“The MoU reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Singapore to strengthening cooperation in disaster preparedness and response and building resilience against natural disasters,” the FO statement on the document’s exchange said.
