ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Maldives on Wednesday agreed toincrease bilateraltrade to $200 million within two years from about $14m, a nearly 15-fold rise, as the two countries signed 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to expand economic, strategic and people-to-people ties during the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years.

The understanding was reached during talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a three-day state visit thatcoincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The leaders also agreed to broaden cooperation in investment, tourism, food security, pharmaceuticals and private sector partnerships.

`Our bilateral trade volume stands at only $13.9 million, which is just a fraction of our actual potential. We will strive our best to increase our bilateral trade volume to $200m over the next two years,` PM Shehbaz said after the talks.

The next step will be to bring businesses from both countries together to identify opportunities for trade and investment.

The two leaders also discussedimproving air and maritime connectivity, expanding tourism and convening the Joint Economic Commission at an early date.

They stressed the importance of translating the agreements reached during the visit into practical outcomes, with PM Shehbaz pledging to work personally with Mr Muizzu to ensure their implementation.

`We have had a wonderful session and very productive and fruitful discussions, covering our economic and trade relations, strategic and defence cooperation, and our support for training our Maldivian brothers and sisters in various fields, including the police, defence, education, health, and many others,` PM Shehbaz said.

Pakistan offered assistance in food supplies, pharmaceuticals, health care and professional training, including through government-togovernment arrangements. PM Shehbaz also announced 20 additional undergraduate scholarships annually for Maldivian students and reaffirmed Pakistan`s readiness to expand technical and vocational training and capacity building in areas, including policing and defence.

Pakistan also pledged support for Mr Muizzu`s `Five Million Tree Initiative`, a campaign to expand tree coverin the island nation. Islamabad will provide 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plant species over the next 12 months, depending on seasonal availability.

Pakistani experts will also help establish nurseries, with the aim of contributing to the production of one million plants over three years.

Addressing a joint press stakeout following the signing of the MoUs, PM Shehbaz commended the Maldives` `unwavering` support for the Palestinian cause, adding that Islamabad remained fully committed to the Palestinians` right to selfdetermination and the establishment of an independent state of Palestine.

He said he had briefed Mr Muizzu on Pakistan`s principled position on occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating Islamabad`s support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The prime minister also expressed Pakistan`s `serious concern` over India`s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance in April 2025, pointing out that the move violated an internationally binding treaty.

`Pakistan`s position is loud and clear and beyond an array of doubt; legally binding treaties must be respected and shared water resources must never be weaponised or used as an instrument of political pressure or blackmailing,` he stated.

`Water is a lifeline for humanity [...] so this should be known to all and sundry that any violation in this behalf will be regarded by Pakistan as an act of war,` he warned.

Mr Muizzu commended Pakistan`s diplomatic efforts `to promote dialogue, de-escalation, humanitarian assistanceand a just and lasting peace` in the Middle East.

The 20 MoUs and agreements cover a wide range of areas, including health, education, technical training, tourism, civil aviation, agriculture, fisheries, defence, maritime security, law enforcement, civil service cooperation, social protection, culture and youth development. The agreements are intended to give institutional backing to the broader partnership.

Meeting with president Mohamed Muizzu also met President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-i-Sadr, where the two leaders discussed ways to expand trade, investment, connectivity and people-topeople exchanges. Mr Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan`s willingness to support the Maldives in education, healthcare, human resource development, social protection and sustainable development.

The two leaders also discussed the effects of climate change on vulnerable countries, particularly small island developing states and climateexposed developing economies.

Mr Zardari expressed Pakistan`s readiness to deepen cooperation on climate resilience, environmental protection and sustainable development, including through support for the tree-planting initiative.

Mr Muizzu and Mohamed Saeed, the Maldives` minister of economic development, transport and trade, are scheduled to address the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum on Thursday, which is expected to explore new commercial partnerships and ways to expand investment.

Internal security, law enforcement Meanwhile, Pakistan and the Maldives agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in internal security and law enforcement, with special focus on curbing illegal immigration, human smuggling and organised crime.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry and Maldives Minister for Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan on Wednesday.

Both sides held detailed deliberations on enhancing bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in security-related matters.

Tallal Chaudhry said Pakistan attaches great importance to security cooperation and exchange of experiences with friendly countries for pro-moting peace and stability in the region.

`Pakistan is keen to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with the Maldives in the areas of internal security and lawenforcement,` he said, adding that enhanced linkages were essential to tackle common challenges such as illegal immigration and human smuggling.On his part, the Maldivian minister said both countries could effectively deal with the challenges through mutual cooperation and joint efforts.