Islamabad (TDI): President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday welcomed Sri Lanka’s new High Commissioner to Pakistan, Rear-Admiral H.L.A. Don Fred Senevirante, and underlined the importance of broadening bilateral cooperation in trade, economic connectivity, and cultural exchange.
The High Commissioner-designate presented his diplomatic credentials at a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where he was accorded a guard of honour upon arrival.
President Zardari congratulated the High Commissioner on his new assignment and expressed hope that his tenure would bring new momentum to Pakistan–Sri Lanka ties.
He noted that the two nations, bound by historical and cultural affinities, have consistently supported one another in regional and multilateral forums.
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Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy a longstanding friendship rooted in mutual respect and shared experiences. Their relations were formalized in 1948, shortly after Sri Lanka gained independence, and have since expanded into defense cooperation, higher education exchanges, and robust trade relations.
The Free Trade Agreement signed in 2005 was South Asia’s first bilateral FTA and has helped boost two-way commerce, particularly in textiles, tea, and pharmaceuticals.
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Observers believe that with the new envoy in place, the two sides may further strengthen collaboration in maritime security, tourism, and people-to-people contact, reaffirming the strategic importance of the Pakistan–Sri Lanka partnership in South Asia.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
