Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar Deepens Global Partnerships at ASEAN Forum with Canada, Australia, Russia & Sri Lanka
KUALA LUMPUR (11 July 2025) – Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to deepening diplomatic, trade, and educational partnerships across multiple continents.
Dar met with his counterparts from Canada, Australia, Russia, and Sri Lanka during his official visit to Kuala Lumpur. The discussions focused on enhancing economic ties, academic collaborations, and geopolitical cooperation amid evolving regional and global dynamics.
Productive Engagement with Canada: Trade and Academic Growth in Focus
In a constructive dialogue with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, both leaders acknowledged the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Canada relations, particularly in trade and people-to-people engagement. They explored ways to further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, particularly in technology, education, and skilled labor exchange.
Foreign Minister Dar formally invited FM Anand to visit Pakistan to deepen mutual understanding and facilitate further collaboration. The invitation was positively received, signaling a possible high-level visit in the coming months.
Australia-Pakistan: Building on Diaspora and Cricket Diplomacy
Dar also met Australian Foreign Minister Senator Hon Penny Wong, where the two reaffirmed the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and Australia. Discussions emphasized increasing bilateral trade – which currently stands at $1.186 billion – and expanding academic partnerships, particularly in higher education and research.
The Pakistani diaspora in Australia, along with the countries’ shared passion for cricket, was highlighted as a bridge between the two nations. Both sides agreed on enhancing student exchanges, scholarships, and institutional partnerships to foster long-term academic collaboration.
Strengthening Ties with Sri Lanka: Tourism and Regional Peace on the Agenda
In a separate meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Hon. Vijitha Herath, Dar reaffirmed the historic and friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Discussions covered religious tourism, trade facilitation, educational cooperation, and regional peace-building efforts.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the robustness of bilateral relations and agreed to expand cooperation in key sectors. Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s interest in enhancing Buddhist heritage tourism, given the cultural and religious significance shared by the two nations.
In light of shifting geopolitical dynamics in South Asia, both ministers stressed the importance of multilateral collaboration and regional stability through inclusive economic growth and intergovernmental dialogue.
Meeting with Russia: Energy and Geostrategic Cooperation
Dar also held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, focusing on expanding cooperation in energy, trade, and geopolitical alignment. The ministers agreed to continue high-level dialogue, with a follow-up meeting scheduled during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers meeting next week.
The engagement underscores Pakistan’s growing interest in strengthening ties with Eurasian countries, particularly in the energy sector and regional security frameworks.
Dar’s Broader Role at ASEAN Forum
The 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum, attended by foreign ministers from 27 member countries and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, aims to promote dialogue on key political and security issues across the Asia-Pacific region.
Dar, representing Pakistan, is participating in discussions focused on peace, maritime security, economic resilience, and climate challenges. He is also expected to meet several other foreign ministers, including his Malaysian counterpart, and will address a session on inclusive regional development.
Outreach to the Pakistani Diaspora in Malaysia
On the sidelines of his diplomatic engagements, Dar will also interact with members of the Pakistani community in Kuala Lumpur. The Deputy PM plans to brief the diaspora on Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities and acknowledge their contributions to both host and home countries.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Updates