Dar, Myanmar FM hold wide-ranging talks as both sides move to reset relations

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday held detailed talks with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Than Swe with both sides signalling a renewed push to revive and strengthen bilateral relations after years of limited high-level contact. Than Swe arrived in Pakistan late on January 24 on a four-day official visit aimed at expanding cooperation across political, economic and cultural spheres.

Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting, Dar described the discussions as extensive and constructive, noting that the engagement reflected the importance both countries attach to reinvigorating their relationship. He said the talks, which lasted over an hour, reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties and included an exchange of views on regional peace and security, with both sides agreeing that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

Trade, people-to-people links and humanitarian cooperation

Dar said Pakistan and Myanmar carried out a comprehensive assessment of cooperation in political, trade, commercial and cultural fields, as well as people-to-people exchanges. Both sides, he added, recognised significant untapped potential and agreed on the need for sustained, structured and results-oriented engagement to move the relationship forward.

The two foreign ministers also agreed to enhance collaboration in capacity-building, development initiatives and humanitarian assistance. Dar noted that particular emphasis was placed on improving consular cooperation, including coordination to support nationals affected by cross-border criminal networks and online scamming operations.

People-to-people contacts featured prominently in the talks, with both sides stressing closer academic collaboration, youth engagement and cultural exchanges. Dar highlighted Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage and pointed to religious tourism as a potential avenue for deepening cultural ties and improving connectivity between the two nations.

MoU signed, regional outlook discussed

Following the talks, Pakistan and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations between their foreign ministries. Dar said the agreement would institutionalise regular dialogue and provide a formal mechanism for engagement on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Earlier in the day, Dar formally welcomed Than Swe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recalling the longstanding friendship between Islamabad and Naypyidaw. He noted a gap in senior-level exchanges, pointing out that the last visit by Myanmar’s leadership took place in 2015, while Pakistan’s last top-level visit was in 2012. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation through practical initiatives and expressed hope that Myanmar’s political process would contribute to stability, development and inclusive governance.

Than Swe, for his part, thanked Pakistan for the invitation and hospitality, saying his visit reflected Myanmar’s interest in expanding both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. He said consultations held before his departure underscored strong interest within Myanmar’s government in identifying new areas of collaboration. The visiting minister also recalled the shared colonial past of the two countries and said successive governments in Myanmar had maintained cordial relations with Pakistan since independence.

Both sides expressed confidence that the Islamabad talks would lay the groundwork for closer cooperation in the coming years.