Description: UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al – Nahyan met his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, where they signed several pacts for joint cooperation on trade, culture and consular affairs. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry in an official statement said that Sheikh Abdullah arrived on a two – day visit which would also underscore cooperation between the countries in the fields of energy and security. Chambers from both countries would also cooperate as both Deputy Prime ministers signed a pact for a joint commercial business council which would facilitate easier trade and economic development.
Impact: Pakistan and the UAE have emerged as natural allies in volatile global geopolitical conditions where strategic partnerships are of existential value. Pakistan have recently expanded their strategic portfolio signing cooperation agreements with Turkey, while the UAE have managed to land extensive negotiations with the European Union over enhanced trade and economic cooperation. The partnership would certainly undertake maritime trade and cooperation connecting key trade routes between the countries exploiting geographically close routes through the Gulf of Oman. The number of similar partnerships between Asian and Middle Eastern countries is expected to rise in the future, as both regions face mounting threats of macroeconomic instability caused by the US – China trade war.