PM Imran, Abu Dhabi crown prince discuss ways to diversify bilateral ties

Both leaders welcomed efforts to enhance collaboration in Covid-19 vaccine production and IT, says official statement

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday held a telephone conversation with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

It said that the two leaders reaffirmed the close fraternal relations between the two countries and discussed ways to further cement and diversify bilateral ties.

PM Imran conveyed his appreciation for UAE’s cooperation and steadfast support including at multilateral fora, according to the statement. He underscored the importance of responsible withdrawal of foreign troops and steady progress by the Afghan parties towards a political solution, it added.

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The statement further said that both leaders welcomed efforts to enhance collaboration in Covid-19 vaccine production and in the field of Information Technology.

H.H Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces, discusses in telephone conversation with H.E @ImranKhanPTI Prime Minister of Pakistan relations of mutual cooperation and ways to further enhance relationship pic.twitter.com/tYOonoELjh

— UAE Embassy PK (@uaeembassyisb) May 31, 2021

It was agreed to continue with the momentum of high-level exchanges to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

The UAE’s role in seeking rapprochement between Pakistan and India remained the subject of discussions in the recent past.

Several reports suggested that the UAE was mediating between the two countries. There were even reports that senior intelligence officials of Pakistan and India had met in Dubai in January leading to the ceasefire between the two countries along the Line of Control (LoC).

The UAE Ambassador to Washington also confirmed that his country was facilitating dialogue between the two countries. The envoy said the idea behind the UAE’s effort was to ensure that Pakistan and India have a functional relationship.