Kuala lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar met with the Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Thursday on the sidelines of 32nd ARF Ministerial Meeting at Kuala Lumpur.

The two sides acknowledged the positive trajectory of the Pak-Canada bilateral relations. They discussed and agreed to upscale and strengthen economic and trade relations.

Ishaq Dar invited the Canadian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan which latter accepted with thanks.

Meanwhile Ishaq Dar met with Australian Foreign Minister Senator Wong on sidelines of ASEAN Regional Forum and reaffirmed strong Pakistan Australia ties and commitment to enhance cooperation in trade, education, and people-to-people links.

Ishaq Dar said that Pakistani diaspora and cricket are a living bridge between the countries.

Both sides agreed to boost bilateral trade (currently $1.186B), promote academic partnerships, and increase high-level political exchanges. A productive and forward-looking engagement.

Meanwhile Ishaq Dar met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, on the side-lines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. The two leaders reviewed the progress of ongoing bilateral engagements, and expressed their commitment to further enhancing cooperation particularly in trade and investment, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.