Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will undertake an official visit to Islamabad on Friday (Oct 30) at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday.

“The visit assumes significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore and comes ahead of Singapore’s assumption of the Asean chairmanship in 2027,” the FO said in a statement.

During the visit, Dar and Dr Balakrishnan will hold bilateral talks covering the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Singapore relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, it added.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore’s Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will also be exchanged.

Balakrishnan will also call on Pakistan’s leadership, the FO said.

Pakistan and Singapore maintain cordial bilateral relations based on mutual respect and longstanding friendship. The visit underscores the shared commitment of the two countries to deepening and diversifying their bilateral partnership, it added.

DPM Dar last spoke to Balakrishnan in May, requesting Singapore’s support in facilitating the “welfare and repatriation” of 11 Pakistanis and 20 Iranians aboard vessels seized by the United States.