CANBERRA, — Pakistan and Australia held the ninth round of Senior Officials Talks (SOT) in Canberra, reviewing bilateral relations and identifying new opportunities to deepen cooperation across diplomacy, trade, security, education, and climate action.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia-Pacific) Dr. Syed Ali Asad Gillani, while the Australian delegation was headed by Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of the South and Central Asia Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, both sides conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral ties and discussed practical measures to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The discussions covered:
- High-level political engagement
- Economic cooperation and trade
- Science and technology
- Education partnerships
- Defense and security
- Counter-terrorism cooperation
- Combating transnational crime
- Climate change initiatives
Both delegations also exchanged views on regional and global developments. They agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation at multilateral forums.
During the meeting, Dr. Gillani briefed the Australian side on Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and shared Pakistan’s assessment of the regional situation in South Asia.
He also presented Pakistan’s position regarding the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and raised concerns over what Pakistan described as India’s continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty.
10th Joint Trade Committee Meeting Held
On the sidelines of the strategic dialogue, Pakistan and Australia also convened the 10th Australia-Pakistan Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Canberra.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul Khokhar, while Sarah Storey represented Australia.
Officials held detailed discussions on expanding bilateral trade and investment, with particular emphasis on:
- Agriculture
- Livestock
- Information Technology (IT)
- Mining
- Services sector
Both countries also explored ways to improve market access and addressed trade-related issues, including matters affecting Pakistan’s textile exports.
The meeting further reviewed global trade trends, their potential impact on bilateral commerce, and opportunities to strengthen cooperation under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the broader multilateral trading system.
Pakistan and Australia reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a stronger, mutually beneficial partnership through sustained dialogue, economic collaboration, and strategic engagement.
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Pakistani and Australian officials meet during the ninth Senior Officials Talks in Canberra.
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Officials from Pakistan and Australia hold the ninth Senior Officials Talks in Canberra to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
