Norway has praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts during the recent Iran-US conflict, with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide calling Islamabad’s diplomatic role an important contribution to international peace.

Eide made the remarks during delegation-level talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Thursday. The visit marks the first trip by a Norwegian foreign minister to Pakistan in a decade.

The Norwegian foreign minister said Pakistan had taken on a major responsibility by offering Islamabad as both a venue and facilitator for negotiations. He also praised the contributions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Eide said Pakistan’s efforts represented a “service to the world” and welcomed Islamabad’s commitment to promoting dialogue and de-escalation.

The talks also covered the broader Pakistan-Norway relations, with both sides agreeing to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Trade, investment, climate change, renewable energy, education and maritime affairs featured prominently in the discussions.

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Dar said Pakistan valued its relationship with Norway and wanted to expand economic and diplomatic cooperation. He noted that bilateral trade remained below its potential and called for measures to increase commercial engagement.

He also highlighted investment opportunities for Norwegian companies in Pakistan, pointing to the partnership between Norway’s Yara International and Fauji Fertilizer as a potential model for future projects.

Pakistan seeks stronger economic partnership

Dar said Pakistan’s IT exports to Norway had increased more than fivefold over the past two years. He also said the two countries had agreed to speed up the finalisation of pending agreements and memorandums of understanding.

Climate cooperation emerged as another important area. Dar noted that Pakistan and Norway had signed a memorandum of understanding under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in April.

The foreign ministers also discussed maritime cooperation. Dar said Pakistan’s strategic location could make it an attractive ship-recycling destination for vessels operating in the region.

Norway, a major maritime nation, expressed interest in maintaining open sea lanes and protecting freedom of navigation. Eide stressed the importance of international maritime law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Regional tensions dominate discussions

The two ministers also reviewed developments in the Middle East, Kashmir and Afghanistan.

Eide said Norway and Pakistan shared an interest in finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts. He also said Oslo could contribute to peace efforts because Norway maintains relations with both Iran and the United States.

Dar briefed his Norwegian counterpart on Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement over the Iran-US conflict and Islamabad’s efforts to promote dialogue.

The Pakistani minister also raised the Kashmir dispute and expressed concern over India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. He called for respect for international law and treaty obligations.

Eide also welcomed Pakistan’s engagement on regional peace and said Norway wanted to remain supportive wherever it could contribute.

Diaspora and labour mobility

People-to-people relations formed another key part of the discussions. Eide highlighted Norway’s sizeable Pakistani-origin community and described its contribution to Norwegian society as valuable.

Both sides agreed to strengthen people-to-people contacts and explore legal pathways for Pakistani skilled workers to access opportunities in Norway.

Dar also stressed the importance of tackling human smuggling and illegal migration while expanding legitimate labour mobility.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, sovereignty and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Eide’s two-day visit is expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral relations after a decade without a Norwegian foreign ministerial visit to Pakistan. The two governments have also maintained high-level contacts in recent months, including discussions between Dar and Eide in March and April