Pakistani, Russian leaders discuss Mideast conflict, food security
Premier Kakar meets Russian President Putin on sidelines of 3rd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing
The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments
By Aamir Latif
Karachi, Sindh Pakistan
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing to discuss a host of issues, including Middle East, terrorism, and food security.
Kakar, who met Putin on the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, is the third Pakistani premier to meet with the Russian president over the past year amid growing economic and diplomatic ties between the two erstwhile rivals.
Previously, former premiers Imran Khan and Shehbaz Sharif met with Putin.
The two leaders, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the evolving situation in the Middle East.
Kakar stressed the need for enhanced regional integration for the economic development of the entire region and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further expanding and strengthening bilateral cooperation with Russia in the areas of trade, investment, energy, connectivity, and counterterrorism.
Highlighting the ongoing cooperation in the oil and gas sector between the two countries, Kakar said Islamabad would welcome Russian investment in the energy field in Pakistan.
Pakistan has received its maiden shipments of crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Russia in line with a deal struck between the two countries earlier this year.
This January, Russia agreed to provide oil and gas to Pakistan at discounted rates in order to meet Islamabad’s rising domestic and industrial energy needs.
Islamabad and Moscow, according to him, have a common stance on anti-terrorism issues.
Putin, for his part, said that Moscow desires to further enhance bilateral cooperation in different sectors with Islamabad.
This year, Pakistan and Russia are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
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Aamir Latif is a Karachi-based senior journalist representing Anadolu, a Turkish news agency.
Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on 18.10.2023)
