By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Vladimir Putin vowed on Tuesday to deepen bilateral ties, pledging enhanced cooperation in trade, energy, and regional connectivity.
The commitment came during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of States summit in Beijing, signaling a growing alignment between Islamabad and Moscow.
The two nations have steadily strengthened relations in recent years. In July, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk called Pakistan and Russia “natural allies.” In June, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, meeting with Pakistan’s special envoy Syed Tariq Fatemi, reaffirmed Moscow’s intent to expand ties, building on a September 2024 memorandum of understanding for multi-sector collaboration.
Addressing Putin, Sharif credited the Russian leader’s “personal commitment and interest” for recent progress. “Relations between the two countries have improved in recent years,” he said, underscoring Pakistan’s eagerness to advance ties further. He noted that since their 2024 SCO summit meeting in Astana, high-level delegation exchanges had led to agreements promoting agriculture, iron, steel, energy, and transport cooperation.
Sharif highlighted a proposed trade corridor linking Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan as a driver of regional connectivity and economic growth. “Both sides are keenly committed to building their relations,” he said, thanking Russia for its support, which he called “a balancing act in the region.”
Acknowledging Russia’s ties with India, Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s aim to forge “very strong relations” that would be “supplementary and complementary.” He praised Putin as a “dynamic leader” and pledged close collaboration to promote regional prosperity.
Putin, in turn, described Pakistan as a “traditional partner” in Asia. “We cherish these ties,” he said, noting that bilateral trade, boosted by Pakistan’s import of Russian oil last year, required further growth. Expressing condolences for Pakistan’s recent flood-related losses, he voiced confidence in Sharif’s leadership to address such challenges. Putin also highlighted cooperation at international forums, citing Pakistan’s role as a non-permanent U.N. Security Council member and ongoing U.N. collaboration.
Putin invited Sharif to the SCO Heads of Government Summit in November, an invitation the Pakistani leader accepted, signaling continued engagement.
The Beijing talks build on last year’s Astana discussions, where both leaders prioritized trade and commerce. Sharif expressed optimism that joint efforts would further strengthen ties.
Separately, Sharif met with Tajikistan’s president, with both leaders affirming satisfaction with ongoing cooperation. They committed to expanding collaboration in trade, investment, energy, security, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, rooted in shared cultural, historical, and religious ties. The leaders also discussed regional and global issues, reflecting Pakistan’s broader SCO engagement.
Tuesday’s meetings highlight Pakistan’s strategic push to strengthen partnerships amid a complex geopolitical landscape. The focus on trade corridors and economic ties points to a pragmatic approach to regional integration, with potential to enhance stability and prosperity across Central and South Asia.
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