Colombo, 1 August 2022 (TDI): Pakistani High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Umar Farooq Burki, called on Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry at the Foreign Ministry’s office in Colombo.
High Commissioner of Pakistan calls on Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka
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In this meeting, the Foreign Minister and Pakistani High Commissioner discussed the growing bilateral relations between both countries. The Foreign Minister also expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in multiple spheres.
Both sides agreed to strengthen people-to-people contacts as a way to deepen the bilateral relations further.
Foreign Minister Sabry also appreciated the steadfast and consistent support by the Government of Pakistan in difficult times on many regional and international platforms.
Pakistan-Sri Lanka Relations
Both countries are located in the South Asian region and share cultural ties and diplomatic cooperation.
Notably, Pakistan hosts ancient relics and architecture central to Buddhist heritage within the Punjabi city of Taxila. Also, Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka has held regular exhibitions of the “Gandhara Art of Pakistan”.
The two countries have historically cooperated at international forums. Pakistan and Sri Lanka were members of the non-aligned movement (NAM) as Pakistan became a member in 1979.
Amongst other South Asian nations, Sri Lanka has supported the United Nations (UN) resolution for a nuclear-weapons-free zone in South Asia.
Furthermore, the shared diplomatic stance between the two countries on numerous regional security issues of South Asia also led both nations to advance bilateral defense relations.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s fight against domestic militancy paved the way for intensifying bilateral defense cooperation.
Pakistan signed a defense agreement with Sri Lanka to provide Colombo with eight JF-17 fighter aircraft in 2016.
The two countries’ armies and naval forces have regularly interacted through port calls, military, and naval training, and exercises. Together with defense workshops and seminars.
During the high-level visit to Colombo, the Pakistani Premier offered a USD $50 million credit line to Sri Lanka. Specifically to further enhance defense and security partnerships.
