President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized the need to translate the strong political goodwill between Pakistan and the Maldives into greater trade, investment, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.

He was talking to the President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, during a meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad today.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Welcoming the President of the Republic of Maldives, Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its longstanding fraternal relations with the Maldives, rooted in shared faith, mutual trust, respect for sovereignty and enduring goodwill.

He noted that the state visit, coinciding with sixty years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, has provided fresh momentum to the bilateral partnership.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

President Asif Ali Zardari recalled Pakistan's longstanding contribution to the development of the Maldives, including the Parliament building and the School of Medicine in Malé, which stand as enduring symbols of friendship between the two countries.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to supporting the Maldives in education, healthcare, human resource development, social protection and sustainable development.

The two leaders recognised the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries, particularly small island developing states and climate-vulnerable developing economies.

Asif Ali Zardari expressed Pakistan's readiness to deepen cooperation with the Maldives in climate resilience, environmental protection and sustainable development, including support for President Muizzu's Five Million Tree Initiative.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments and underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, sovereign equality, mutual respect and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter.

They reaffirmed their support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.

The meeting was followed by a state banquet hosted by President Asif Ali Zardari in honour of President Mohamed Muizzu and his accompanying delegation, which was attended, among others, by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif; Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir; Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani; Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq; Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff; Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff; General Syed Aamer Raza, Commander National Strategic Command, as well as members of the Federal Cabinet, Parliament and diplomatic corps.