Islamabad – On Thursday, Pakistan and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to boosting trade and economic cooperation, as well as enhancing regional connectivity to strengthen their bilateral relations.
During a meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Asif Ali Zardari and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, along with his delegation, discussed opportunities for collaboration in various sectors. They highlighted the importance of fostering mutually beneficial partnerships in agriculture, food security, business, education, railways, science, technology, and promoting stronger people-to-people connections.
President Zardari welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk and emphasized the need to explore barter trade opportunities and improve connectivity to further economic relations between the two countries. He suggested easing visa regulations and enhancing transportation links through railways and direct flights to facilitate better interactions between people and businesses.
The meeting underscored the potential for increased cooperation in agriculture, with both sides agreeing on the benefits of joint ventures in this sector. Additionally, it was announced that a 75-member business delegation from Pakistan will visit Russia in October to explore business and economic opportunities.
Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk expressed Russia’s eagerness to improve cooperation with Pakistan in food security, science and technology, education, connectivity, and railways. He also mentioned the upcoming visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to Pakistan in October as an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations. Overchuk reaffirmed Russia’s respect for all religions and its condemnation of the desecration of the Holy Quran.
The meeting was attended by various Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and several other key ministers and senior government officials.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed Pakistan’s interest in expanding its trade, economic, energy, connectivity, and security ties with Russia. Prime Minister Sharif looked forward to meeting Russian Prime Minister Mishustin at the SCO summit next month and emphasized the importance of strengthening relations with Russia as a key priority of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
In a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Overchuk also indicated Russia’s support for Pakistan’s inclusion in BRICS, stating, “We would be supportive of it.”
