Twenty Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), including on defence cooperation and maritime security cooperation, were exchanged during the State visit of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu to Pakistan from 20 October to 22 October 2026. Muizzu noted that the visit “marked a significant milestone in the 60-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations”, a sentiment echoed by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu visited Pakistan from 20 October to 22 October 2026 at the invitation of Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The main purpose of the visit was to strengthen and consolidate bilateral relations across various sectors, based on a shared Islamic identity. Muizzu held talks with Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Chairman of the Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. He also addressed the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad. The visit has sparked concern among the Maldivian opposition leaders and Indian commentators. The brief presents the outcome of the visit, explores its significance and implications. In final remarks, the brief answers the question: should India be worried?

During the official talks between President Muizzu and PM Sharif, the two leaders outlined joint priorities for bilateral relations across key sectors, which include trade and investment, health and education, environment and tourism, fisheries and agriculture, youth and sports, defence and security, training and capacity-building, as well as regional and multilateral cooperation.[1] The two countries exchanged 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), including on defence cooperation and maritime security cooperation.[2]

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to translate the agreements and understandings reached into tangible outcomes and increase bilateral trade from US$ 13 million to US$ 200 million in two years. PM Sharif also announced Pakistan’s contribution of 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plant species to support Maldives’ five-million-tree initiatives to achieve national environmental goals.[3]

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations (UN), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other multilateral fora on shared international priorities.[4] Maldives has joined the Saudi-led Multilateral Maritime Defence Cooperation (MMDC), where Pakistan is also a member. Muizzu commended Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts during the ongoing West Asian crisis.[5]

Reportedly, Sharif raised the Kashmir issue and the Indus Water Treaty during the bilateral talks, but Muizzu refrained from commenting publicly. Muizzu, for his part, raised the issue of reviving SAARC and emphasised the importance of rebuilding trust and fostering meaningful dialogue among member countries.[6] According to Muizzu, the visit and the exchange of the MoUs ushered in a new era of cooperation and “marked a significant milestone in the 60-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations”, a sentiment echoed by Sharif.[7]

60 Years of Bilateral Relations

The two countries established diplomatic relations on 26 July 1966. The two nations managed their diplomatic relations through non-resident ambassadorship until Pakistan established a formal resident diplomatic mission in Malé in 1983, and the Maldives established a resident diplomatic mission in Islamabad in July 2008. Cooperation in the banking and financial sector began in 1976 when Pakistan’s Habib Bank Limited (HBL) opened its branch in Malé.

Bilateral relations gained momentum only after the heads of the two states made their first-ever state visit to each other’s country in the early 1980s. Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom visited Pakistan in 1984, and Pakistani President Zia Ul Hoque visited the Maldives in 1985. During General Zia’s visit, the two countries signed an agreement for economic and technical cooperation, under which Pakistan agreed to provide the Maldives with long-term, interest-free credit to import several items, including machinery and steel products. Pakistan also agreed to provide training facilities in medicine and nursing, foreign service, public administration, banking, legal fields and sports; technical assistance in a water purification project; and the supply of medicines to the Maldives. The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in trade, culture and shipping.[8]

In subsequent years, bilateral engagements at the highest level were not frequent. After 1985, bilateral state visits by the head of state or government were in 1991, 1998, 2015, 2017 and finally in 2026. Most of their engagements were at the multilateral fora. Progress in implementing bilateral agreements and commitments was quite slow.

Table 1. Maldivian Presidents’ Visit to Pakistan

Source: Compiled by the author based on information available at the President’s Office, Republic of Maldives.

Table 2. Pakistani PMs’/Presidents’ Visit to Maldives

Source: Compiled by the author based on information available at the President’s Office, Republic of Maldives.

Bilateral cooperation until 2015 mostly focused on human resources, institutional development, and capacity-building programmes by Pakistan. Such programmes include technical assistance in the preparation of the Maldives’ fourth constitution, scholarships to 4/5 Maldivian students to study in Pakistan in the areas of medicine, engineering, pharmacy and dentistry,[9]........

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