On the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar of Pakistan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a significant meeting to explore areas of collaboration and discuss regional and international issues. Their talks, held on Tuesday, touched upon various topics, including trade, investment, and energy cooperation.
Both leaders expressed their contentment with the continuous expansion of Pakistan-Russia relations and underscored the importance of bolstering cooperation in diverse sectors. President Putin warmly welcomed PM Kakar before the meeting, which covered a broad range of bilateral, regional, and global affairs.
The talks encompassed the potential for advancing Eurasian connectivity and the central role Pakistan plays in promoting regional integration through the development of rail, road, and energy corridors. PM Kakar highlighted the necessity for enhanced regional integration, emphasizing its crucial role in fostering the economic development of the entire region. He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to further enhancing and strengthening its bilateral cooperation with Russia in areas such as trade, investment, energy, connectivity, and counterterrorism.
The two leaders engaged in discussions about regional and international developments, including the evolving situation in the Middle East. Prime Minister Kakar stressed that Pakistan and Russia share common interests when it comes to counterterrorism and urged neighboring countries, particularly Afghanistan’s neighbors, to take the initiative and collaborate closely in intelligence, defense, and counter-terrorism efforts.
Touching upon energy cooperation, PM Kakar noted Pakistan’s status as an energy-deficient country with a substantial population of 240 million. He highlighted the productive engagement of Pakistan’s energy minister during his participation in Russia’s Energy Week event. During the event, the Russian team put forward concrete proposals for strengthening energy collaboration.
Reflecting on his previous visit to Russia as a senator, PM Kakar expressed admiration for Russian architecture, particularly structures representing Christianity and churches. He emphasized the cultural and ethical values that both countries share but are often less recognized beyond their region.
President Putin acknowledged the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Russia, underlining the enormous potential for cooperation between the two nations. He highlighted the increased trade relations, noting that Russia had supplied around a million tons of cereals to Pakistan this year.
The meeting between the caretaker prime minister and the Russian president signifies the intent to deepen bilateral ties and explore opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration in various domains, further strengthening the bond between Pakistan and Russia.
