Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored Pakistan's commitment to bolstering its relations with Russia during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
The meeting, held in Astana, Kazakhstan, saw both leaders expressing mutual determination to enhance their countries' bilateral ties, particularly in trade and energy.
Prime Minister Sharif congratulated President Putin on his re-election and expressed optimism about Russia's continued development under his leadership. He highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between Pakistan and Russia, noting the positive trajectory these relations have taken over recent years.
"Pakistan has a long-standing business relationship with Russia. Our bilateral trade currently stands at approximately $1 billion, and there is significant potential to expand this by addressing financial and banking issues," Prime Minister Sharif stated.
He also emphasized the historical trade relations between the two countries, recalling the barter trade system of the 1950s to 1970s, where Pakistan imported machinery from Russia and exported textiles and leather goods.
In his discussion with President Putin, Prime Minister Sharif expressed a strong desire to further stabilize and enhance bilateral trade. He acknowledged the recent shipment of oil from Russia to Pakistan and indicated a keen interest in expanding cooperation in the energy sector. "We have received oil supply from Russia and aim to increase this further," he said.
The Prime Minister assured that Pakistan-Russia relations are resilient and independent of geopolitical changes or Pakistan's relations with other countries. "Our ties are based on strong foundations, and no geopolitical changes can affect these relations," he affirmed.
President Putin reciprocated the positive sentiments, recalling their previous interaction in Samarkand and expressing readiness to work together to improve bilateral relations.
He highlighted the potential for increased cooperation in energy, agriculture, and food security.
Prime Minister Sharif is in Astana to participate in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus summit, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and other senior officials. During his visit, he will present Pakistan's perspective on regional and global issues, participate in trilateral talks with Turkey and Azerbaijan, and attend a dinner hosted by Kazakh President Qasim Jomart Tokayev.
This meeting marks a significant step in reinforcing the already strong ties between Pakistan and Russia, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and mutual benefit in various sectors.
