New Developments in Southeast Asia
Published on: January 1, 2024.
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Pakistan’s Strong Bilateral Relations with Southeast Asian Countries
Pakistan has established strong and cordial relations with several countries in Southeast Asia. These relationships are based on mutual trust, cultural ties, and historical connections. Let’s take a closer look at Pakistan’s bilateral relations with some key countries in the region.
Indonesia:
Pakistan and Indonesia have a deep-rooted relationship that dates back to 1950 when diplomatic ties were established. These two large Islamic countries share a multidimensional relationship that covers various sectors including politics, economy, trade, culture, and defense. They also cooperate on issues concerning Islamic countries, both bilaterally and within the context of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Indonesia has become one of Pakistan’s top 10 trading partners, with trade reaching 5,027 million USD in 2022. Major exports from Pakistan to Indonesia include ethanol, rice, and denim fabric, while major imports consist of palm oil, coal, and auto parts.
Malaysia:
Pakistan and Malaysia’s relations are also deeply rooted in history, with diplomatic relations established in 1957. These two countries have a broad-based cooperation in various sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, defense, education, and tourism. They share similar outlooks on global and regional issues and actively cooperate in multilateral forums and institutions including the OIC, ASEAN, and Group of 77 and China. In 2022, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malaysia reached US$ 1.723 billion. Major export items from Pakistan to Malaysia include rice and onions, while major import commodities consist of palm oil, petroleum oil, and saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids.
Thailand:
Pakistan and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1951 and continuously aim to reinforce bilateral ties through extensive cooperation in various sectors. These sectors include trade, investment, education, science and technology, security, defense, culture, and tourism. The ancient Buddhist Gandhara heritage of Pakistan, with Taxila at its heart, establishes socio-cultural linkages between Pakistan and Thailand. The total trade between the two countries amounts to US$ 2.15 billion. Major exports of Pakistan to Thailand include fisheries and seafood, petroleum condensate oil, and textiles. On the other hand, Thailand primarily exports automobile/auto parts, chemical products, and polymers of ethylene and propylene to Pakistan.
Philippines:
Pakistan and the Philippines have a long-standing bilateral cooperation in various areas such as politics, economics, commerce, defense, education, culture, and social fields. The two countries engage in regular bilateral consultation talks and joint trade commissions to enhance dialogue and exchange. The Philippines is Pakistan’s 4th largest trading partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade reaching US $ 204.39 million in 2021-22. Top exports from Pakistan to the Philippines include undenatured ethyl alcohol, medicaments, and citrus fruits. On the other hand, top imports from the Philippines consist of machines & electro mechanical parts, ferrous waste and scrap, and fruits, nuts & other edible parts of plants.
Brunei Darussalam:
Pakistan’s relations with Brunei were established in 1984 soon after Brunei’s independence. These two countries enjoy a warm and mutually beneficial cooperation, having similar views on important regional and international issues within the context of the OIC. Pakistan-Brunei bilateral institutional mechanisms include the Pakistan-Brunei Joint Economic Commission, Pakistan-Brunei Joint Working Committee on Defense Cooperation, and Bilateral Political Consultations. The Pakistani community in Brunei primarily consists of professionals such as teachers, doctors, and businessmen. The annual trade between Pakistan and Brunei stands at US$ 2.32 million in exports from Pakistan to Brunei and US$ 3.79 million in imports from Brunei to Pakistan. Major exports from Pakistan to Brunei include textile products, vegetables, and fruits, while major imports consist of coal and inorganic chemical compounds.
Singapore:
Pakistan maintains good relations with Singapore since their establishment in 1968. The two countries collaborate in various fields, including the United Nations and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Bilateral political consultations are held to strengthen these relations further. Bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Singapore reached US $ 981 million in FY 2021-22. Major exports from Pakistan to Singapore include crude petroleum and onions. On the other hand, Pakistan primarily imports refined petroleum, scented mixtures, and vessel scrap material from Singapore.
Vietnam:
Pakistan and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1972, and their relations are characterized by mutual respect and beneficial cooperation. Bilateral cooperation spans across various sectors, including trade, economic, commercial fields, education, science and technology, and cultural exchanges. There have been several high-level visits between the two countries, and they are increasingly engaged in fields such as aviation, crime prevention, tourism, diplomacy, sports, and cultural cooperation. The bilateral trade has almost tripled from $331 million in 2013-14 to $907 million in 2021-22. Major exports from Pakistan to Vietnam include maize (corn), leather prepared after tanning, and woven fabrics of cotton. On the other hand, major imports from Vietnam to Pakistan consist of small electronics, primarily mobile phones, synthetic filament yarn, and natural rubber.
Myanmar, Cambodia, and Lao PDR:
Pakistan has established diplomatic relations with Myanmar, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, and these relationships have remained friendly and cooperative over the years. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Myanmar stands at US $19 million, with major trade products being minerals, beans and pulses, garments, and pharmaceuticals. Under Pakistan’s CLMV Assistance Program and Technical Assistance Programme (PTAP), electronic equipment and capacity-building courses are provided to Myanmar in the fields of banking, postal services, railways, and diplomacy. Pakistan and Cambodia have a total trade volume of US $ 40 Million, with major trade items being pharmaceuticals, garments, and leather products. Similar to Myanmar, Pakistan offers electronic equipment and capacity-building courses to Cambodia. Pakistan’s total bilateral trade with Lao PDR stands at 948,734 US $, with major trade items being appliances, paper products, and medical supplies. As with Myanmar and Cambodia, Pakistan also provides electronic equipment and capacity-building courses to Lao PDR.
Pakistan’s relations with Southeast Asian countries are robust and multifaceted, covering various sectors. These relationships contribute to economic growth, cultural exchanges, and regional cooperation.
