Pakistan Seeks Full Dialogue Partner Status with ASEAN: ISSI Roundtable Highlights Strategic Convergence

Islamabad: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), through its China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI), commemorated the 58th ASEAN Day with a high-level roundtable titled “Pakistan and ASEAN: Partners in Peace, Progress, and Regional Prosperity” on August 7, 2025. The event brought together ambassadors and high commissioners of ASEAN member states in Islamabad, senior Pakistani diplomats posted in ASEAN countries, and key officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia Pacific), graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, delivered the welcome address, highlighting Pakistan’s strong and growing partnership with ASEAN. He noted ASEAN’s remarkable transformation into a global economic bloc with a GDP of over $4.2 trillion, lauding its unity, resilience, and inclusive growth model. He emphasized the significance of ASEAN’s newly adopted Community Vision 2045 and underscored the importance of synergy between Pakistan, CPEC, and RCEP. Citing a 23% growth in bilateral trade in 2024, he called for greater collaboration in youth engagement, people-to-people connectivity, and cultural exchanges. Ambassador Mahmood also shared ISSI’s contributions, including the establishment of the ASEAN Corner and the special ASEAN edition of the PIVOT magazine. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s aspiration to become a Full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.

In a special video message, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, acknowledged Pakistan’s long-standing association as ASEAN’s first Sectoral Dialogue Partner. He appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace, connectivity, and economic cooperation and expressed support for further collaboration under the ASEAN-Pakistan Practical Cooperation Areas 2024–2028.

H.E. Mr. Wunna Han, Ambassador of Myanmar and Acting Chair of ACI, highlighted the progress achieved in ASEAN-Pakistan relations and called for deeper alignment with ASEAN Vision 2045. Ambassadors from Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia shared their insights on strengthening ties in political, economic, security, and socio-cultural sectors. They praised Pakistan’s active engagement with ASEAN frameworks and expressed full support for enhancing the relationship.

Pakistani envoys stationed in ASEAN countries highlighted recent achievements and new prospects for cooperation, particularly in digital economy, Fintech, trade, sustainable development, tourism, and cultural diplomacy. They emphasized the need for institutional collaboration and frequent high-level exchanges to strengthen ASEAN-Pakistan ties and contribute to broader regional peace and prosperity.

Chief Guest Ambassador Imran Siddiqui reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to its Vision East Asia policy and the desire to deepen relations with ASEAN, where Pakistan maintains diplomatic presence in nine member states. He emphasized the mutual benefits of regional connectivity, including via CPEC, and capacity-building initiatives. He strongly advocated for Pakistan’s elevation to Full Dialogue Partner status, stating, “Pakistan views its partnership with ASEAN as a convergence of strategic destiny. The time, we believe, has come to graduate this engagement to the level of Full Dialogue Partnership, an evolution justified by visions, history and aspiration.”

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors ISSI, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ASEAN and appreciated ISSI’s efforts in building robust linkages through research and dialogue. Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC, in his opening remarks, underlined ASEAN’s role as a pillar of peace, consensus, and resilience.

The commemoration concluded with the traditional ASEAN handshake and cake-cutting ceremony to mark ASEAN Day, reaffirming the enduring friendship and shared aspirations between Pakistan and ASEAN.