Pakistan and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in diverse fields including trade, energy, defense, and regional security, during high-level talks held this week.
đź“Ť Key Focus Areas of Cooperation
Energy Sector:
Discussions on oil and gas imports, LNG supply, and joint energy projects.
Follow-up on the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project.
Defense & Security:
Agreement to enhance military-to-military cooperation, training programs, and counter-terrorism efforts.
Shared concern over instability in Afghanistan and its spillover effects on the region.
Trade & Connectivity:
Both sides emphasized boosting bilateral trade volume, currently below potential.
Talks on utilizing regional connectivity projects under Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) frameworks.
Multilateral Platforms:
Coordination on forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Both countries reiterated the importance of a multipolar world order and rejection of unilateral sanctions.
⚠️ Context
Pakistan has been seeking cheaper Russian crude oil to ease its economic crisis.
Russia is expanding its influence in South Asia through trade and energy diplomacy, particularly with Pakistan and India.
🔎 Why It Matters
This renewed push indicates that Pakistan–Russia relations are moving beyond symbolic diplomacy toward more structured cooperation, particularly in the energy and defense sectors, at a time when Islamabad is facing severe economic and energy shortages.
