2024-07-05 08:53:44
Astana: Russian President Vladimir Putin met Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. During this, both the leaders praised each other’s relations. The heads of state of both the countries laid more emphasis on increasing trade. Pakistani PM Shahbaz Sharif suggested increasing trade under the barter system, while Russian President Putin said that his country wants to cooperate in food security by supplying oil to Pakistan as well as grains.
Shahbaz wants barter system from Russia
Speaking during the meeting with Putin, PM Shahbaz recalled how there used to be bilateral trade and barter system between Pakistan and Russia in the 1950s and 1960s. “I think today is the time when we can overcome financial and other banking problems by renewing our trade and expanding our trade under barter,” PM Shahbaz told President Putin. “This will be very beneficial for Pakistan and we will be able to overcome many problems,” he said.
Urge to increase bilateral trade
Shahbaz called for increasing bilateral trade between the two countries. He said it is currently “touching $1 million”. Speaking further on Pakistan-Russia relations, Prime Minister Shahbaz highlighted that he is “very happy” to share that bilateral relations between the two states have been moving in a positive direction for the past several years, describing it as “a matter of great ease”. “I would like to work closely with you to further strengthen our relations,” Shahbaz told Putin. “We have a lot to do and we can benefit from your experience.”
Pakistan-Russia diplomatic relations described as strong
Prime Minister Shahbaz stressed that diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Russia are based on strength. “Neither are our relations driven by any geopolitical contingency nor are they influenced by relations with other countries.” Shahbaz also recalled his meeting with Putin in Uzbekistan in September 2022 – that too during the SCO summit – and congratulated the Russian President on his re-election in March. “Once again, I would like to congratulate you on your re-election and I am sure that the Russian Federation will make further progress under your able leadership,” Shahbaz said. “I would like to thank you for this opportunity and on my behalf, I would like to extend my warmest regards to you,” Shahbaz said. [और] On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I want to assure you that we really want to strengthen our relations further.”
what did Putin say
Russian President Putin said, “We have started supplying energy resources to Pakistan, and we are ready to further increase these supplies. As per your request, Russia is actively working to support Pakistan’s food security by increasing grain supplies to the Pakistani market.”
Is Russia increasing friendship with Pakistan?
Relations between Russia and Pakistan have never been historically strong due to India. However, in recent years, relations between the two countries have seen rapid improvement. Three years ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Russia. This was seen as a milestone in the relations between the two countries. Even when the US forces were withdrawing from Afghanistan, the round of talks between Pakistan and Russia had increased rapidly. The then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke to Putin several times at that time. He also visited Russia in February 2022, a day after Putin ordered an attack on Ukraine. After this, Pakistan imported crude oil and wheat despite sanctions on Russia.