Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu will lead a three‑day state visit to Pakistan from Oct. 20‑22, meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. The trip marks the first Maldives presidential visit to Islamabad in more than a decade, the last occurring under former President Abdulla Yameen.
Muizzu’s itinerary includes talks on maritime security, trade and the Maldives’ ‘Maldives First’ policy that prioritises regional partnerships to spur national development. He will also address the Maldives’ growing economic ties with Pakistan, seeking to diversify trade routes.
India, which recently rolled over a Rs 3000‑crore currency swap with the Maldives under a 2024 agreement, views the visit as a counterweight to China’s expanding footprint in the Indian Ocean. The financial move was made at the Maldives’ request and signals India’s continued engagement with its island neighbour.
The Maldivian leader has urged a revival of the SAARC summit, a proposal that has drawn mixed reactions from neighbouring states. India has expressed cautious optimism, suggesting further dialogue on regional cooperation. A joint statement on cooperation is expected at the end of the visit.