Islamabad: Pakistan and Russia agreed to strengthen collaboration in the areas of energy and technology as Prime Minister Imran Khan met President Putin in Moscow to strengthen bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forging a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia. The two countries have agreed to expand energy cooperation with a particular focus on the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline.
Khan visited Moscow on February 23-24 at the invitation of the Russian President. The meeting marked the first visit by a Pakistani premier to Russia in over two decades. Khan’s visit began hours before Russian forces entered Ukraine. Pakistan officials said the visit was long-planned.
During his three-hour-long meeting with President Putin, Prime Minister Khan “reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan-Stream gas pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia” and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects.
The multibillion-dollar gas pipeline will secure the delivery of natural gas from liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals in Karachi and Gwadar with those in Lahore. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov discussed energy ties and bilateral trade opportunities with the Pakistani prime minister and his high-level delegation.
The two countries also discussed the possibility of extending the proposed gas pipeline between Russia and Uzbekistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan. Russia had also expressed interest in the establishment of a liquified petroleum gas terminal in Gwadar, Pakistan’s foreign minister said on Friday.
Collaboration in technology
PM Khan’s historic visit also paved the way for cooperation in technology. Pakistan’s Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) and Russia’s Skolkovo Foundation signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to boost cooperation in the technology sector, foster strategic cooperation and exchanges between the Russian and Pakistani scientific and technological institutions and enterprises.
Ukraine crisis
Prime Minister Imran Khan urged “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve Russia’s tensions with Ukraine. He regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that “Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict.” Khan’s statement came after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Afghanistan situation and South Asia
Pakistani prime minister underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing a potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan. He reiterated that “Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan,” mentioning the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and Russia at various fora, particularly Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The two leaders also discussed the developments detrimental to peace and stability in South Asia and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance.
Meeting with Grand Mufti
PM Khan also met the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov in Moscow. He concluded his two-day visit following a tour of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque where he met the Grand Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin. Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia, the Pakistani prime minister underlined the need for interfaith harmony for peaceful coexistence in an increasingly fragmented world.
