PM Khan’s visit to Moscow is the first by a Pakistani PM in two decades
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan held a detailed meeting with President of Russia Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on February 24 and agreed to strengthen economic and energy partnership.
The long-planned visit began hours before Russian forces attacked Ukraine.
PM Khan’s visit to Moscow is the first by a Pakistani PM in two decades. PM Khan visited Moscow February 23-24 with a high-level delegation.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had a summit meeting with President Putin in the Kremlin. The two leaders held wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
PM Imran Khan expressed confidence that “the positive trajectory of bilateral relations will continue to move forward in the future.” He added that the trust and cordiality marking the relationship would translate into further deepening and broadening of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.
Energy partnership
The multibillion-dollar gas pipeline to be built by Pakistani and Russian companies dominated the talks in Moscow.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the importance of the Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects. The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forging a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.
PM Khan and his delegation held a detailed discussion with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Pakistan-Russia economic relations, with a special focus on cooperation in the field of energy.
Ukraine conflict
Pakistani prime minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict. The Prime Minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict. He underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Afghanistan crisis and Kashmir issue
Prime Minister Imran Khan underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan. Khan reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan and underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
On the situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in Indian occupied Kashmir and underscored the imperative of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Prime Minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance.
Islamophobia
Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, Pakistan’s prime minister emphasized the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence. Appreciating President Putin’s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the Prime Minister said that interfaith harmony and respect for all religions was imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies.
Khan meets the head of Chechen Republic and Grand Mufti
Pakistan prime minister also met the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov. PM Khan concluded the two-day visit to Russia with a tour of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque where Grand Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin received the Prime Minister and his delegation.
Meeting with Russian business leaders
Prime Minister Imran Khan also held a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and the Business Community of Pakistan and Russia
Highlighting the government’s reforms undertaken in different sectors with the aim of improving the business environment, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that Russian companies and businesses would benefit from Pakistan’s improved business environment and invest in different sectors.
PM Khan also had an interactive session with notable businessmen of Pakistan and Russia over the dinner. “Pakistan as a market of more than 220 million provides opportunity for trade and investment,” he said. The Prime Minister stated that forthcoming Investment Conference to be held in March in Pakistan would be an opportunity for metallurgical, energy, construction and oil and gas companies to explore the immense potential in Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Advisor on Commerce and Trade Abdul Razzak Dawood also addressed the gathering.
Technology collaboration
The historic visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan to Russia has also paved the way for both nations to undertake cooperation in many areas including technology.
The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) of Pakistan and the Russian Skolkovo Foundation have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on February 24 to boost cooperation in the technology sector, establish closer business relations and foster strategic cooperation and exchanges between Pakistani and Russian scientific and technological institutions and enterprises.