Canberra, 11 August 2022 (TDI): The High Commissioner for Pakistan to the Commonwealth of Australia, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri discussed broader features of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy at the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA).
Aside from that, the High Commissioner also talked about various aspects of Pakistan-Australia relations.
Had a good discussion on the broader contours of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy and various aspects of Pakistan-Australia relations at the Australian Institute of International Affairs @AIIANational 🇵🇰🤝🇦🇺. @PkPublicDiplo @ForeignOfficePk @PakinAustralia @AusHCPak pic.twitter.com/TmyDsUXjmj
— Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri (@Zhchaudhri) August 10, 2022
The Australian Institute of International Affairs is an Australian research institute and think tank which focuses on international relations. It is one of the oldest active private research institutes in Australia.
Pakistan’s Foreign Policy seeks to protect, promote and advance Pakistan’s national interests in the external domain.
The country seeks to promote the internationally recognized norms of interstate relations. It respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States.
Pakistan follows the principles of non-interference and non-aggression. Pakistan has therefore always sought to develop friendly and cordial relations with all countries of the world.
Australia-Pakistan Ties
Australia enjoys long-standing and growing ties with Pakistan. The relations are underpinned by deepening people-to-people links.
The two countries established diplomatic relations soon after Pakistan’s partition from India in 1947. Furthermore, both countries are members of the Commonwealth and are federations with bicameral legislatures.
Subsequently, the Australian Government plays a part with Pakistan in the areas of security cooperation (including defense and law enforcement training), human rights, economic reform, and development.
Additionally, the government also engages through an active program of official level dialogue and engagement.
Australia and Pakistan enjoy a common heritage and shared interests. The strong people-to-people links center on an active and successful 90,000-strong Pakistani community in Australia.
Besides that, the Pakistani community in Australia continues to enrich Australia through academia, cultural exchange, commerce, and sport.
Moreover, Australia hosts a sizeable Pakistani international student cohort to support Pakistan to achieve sustainable development with a particular focus on the empowerment of women and girls.
The other objectives include water security, agriculture, infrastructure, and inclusive economic development. Likewise, Australia-Pakistan’s two-way trade in goods and services was worth $1.84 billion in 2019-20.
Lastly, the education services exports formed the majority of Australia’s $880 million in services exports to Pakistan (2019-20). Around 12,000 Pakistanis were enrolled to study in Australia as of July 2021.
