Deputy PM Dar in Beijing to co-chair 7th Pakistan–China Strategic Dialogue

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar gestures at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on January 3, 2026. (Pakistan Foreign Office)
Short Url
Updated 03 January 2026
Follow

Deputy PM Dar in Beijing to co-chair 7th Pakistan–China Strategic Dialogue

  • The foreign ministers’ dialogue is the highest consultative mechanism between Pakistan and China to review bilateral cooperation
  • The two ministers will also announce a series of initiatives, activities to mark 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in Beijing to co-chair the 7th Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, the Pakistani foreign office said on Saturday.

The strategic dialogue is the highest consultative mechanism between Pakistan and China, providing a structured platform to review the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.

Dar will co-chair the dialogue with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday.

“The Dialogue will review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, identify new areas of partnership, and further advance the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China,” the Pakistani foreign office said.

Pakistan and China have longstanding strategic, political, economic, defense and cultural relations. Both Islamabad and Beijing maintain close coordination on regional and international issues, frequently supporting each other’s core interests at multilateral forums.

China has also been an important investment partner for Pakistan and has funneled billions of dollars into the country under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy and infrastructure project for over a decade.

During the visit, the two foreign ministers will also announce a series of initiatives and commemorative activities to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China in 2026.

“The visit forms an important part of the regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and reflects their shared determination to broaden and deepen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, while reaffirming their mutual commitment to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development,” the Pakistani foreign office said.


Turkiye ‘in talks’ with Pakistan and Saudi over defense pact

Updated 7 sec ago
Follow

Turkiye ‘in talks’ with Pakistan and Saudi over defense pact

  • Turkish foreign minister says no agreement has been signed yet despite ongoing discussions
  • The proposed alliance follows Pakistan-Saudi defense pact signed after brief India conflict

ISTANBUL: NATO member Turkiye is holding talks with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to join a defense alliance established in September between the two countries, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday.

“At present, there are discussions and talks underway, but no agreement has yet been signed,” Fidan told reporters.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “vision is broader, more comprehensive, and aimed at establishing a larger platform,” he added.

The Pakistan-Saudi pact was signed just months after Pakistan and India fought an intense four-day conflict in May that killed more than 70 people on both sides in missile, drone and artillery fire, the worst clashes between the nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999.

Pakistan and India have long accused each other of backing militant forces to destabilize one another.

Saudi Arabia is believed to have played a key role in defusing the conflict.