Mexico–Pakistan relations

The nations of Mexico and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1955.[1] Both nations are members of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

Mexico-Pakistan relations
Map indicating locations of Mexico and Pakistan

Mexico

Pakistan

History

edit

In August 1947, the Dominion of Pakistan (today the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and modern-day Bangladesh) obtained its independence from the British Empire. On 19 January 1955, Mexico and Pakistan established diplomatic relations.[1] In May 1974, Pakistan opened an embassy in Mexico City. In 2007, Mexico opened an embassy in Islamabad, however, due to budget restraints, the embassy closed in 2009 and in its place, honorary consulates were opened in Karachi and Lahore.[1]

In December 2004, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf paid an official visit to Mexico and met with President Vicente Fox.[2] During the visit, both leaders discussed supporting a proposal to reform the United Nations.[3]

In April 2007, Mexican Foreign Undersecretary Lourdes Aranda Bezaury paid a visit to Pakistan to attend the second meeting for consultations mechanism on matters of common interest in Islamabad.[4] In March 2015, Pakistani Foreign Vice-Minister Burhanul Islam paid a visit to Mexico and met with members of the Mexican Senate and expressed Pakistan's interest in negotiating a free trade agreement with Mexico.[5]

In 2023, both nations held their 6th meeting for consultations mechanism on matters of common interest held in Islamabad and attended by the Director General for Africa, Central Asia and Middle East for the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs Jose Tripp Villanueva.[6]

High-level visits

edit

High-level visits from Mexico to Pakistan[4][6]

  • Foreign Undersecretary Lourdes Aranda Bezaury (2007)
  • Director General for Africa, Central Asia and Middle East Jose Tripp Villanueva (2023)

High-level visits from Pakistan to Mexico[1][7]

Bilateral agreements

edit

Both nations have signed a few bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on the elimination of visas for diplomatic and official passport holders (2008); Memorandum of Understanding between the Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Pakistani Ministry of National Food Security & Research for the exportation of rice to Mexico (2008) and an Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation (2015).[1][8]

Trade relations

edit

In 2023, two-way trade between both nations amounted to US$372.4 million.[9] Mexico's main exports to Pakistan include: cotton, chemical based products, rolled products of stainless steel, refrigerators, data processing machines, and plastic. Pakistan's main exports to Mexico include: textiles and clothing articles, medical instruments, tools, cement, minerals, salt, and pepper.[9]

Resident diplomatic missions

edit
 
Embassy of Pakistan in Mexico City

See also

edit

References

edit