Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, emphasising that Islamabad seeks to build a strong relationship with Moscow.

 

“We respect your relation with India… but we also want to build very strong relations, and these relations will be supplementary and complementary for the good and for the progress and prosperity of the region,” PM Shehbaz told the Russian president as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of States (CHS) summit Tuesday.

 

The premier highlighted that relations between Islamabad and Moscow have improved in recent years due to President Putin’s personal commitment and interest. He expressed the resolve that Pakistan was also keen to strengthen the bilateral relations further, adding that they were moving in the right direction.

 

Underlining the significance of the trade corridor connecting Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the premier said that the initiative would boost regional connectivity and prosperity.

 

He also expressed gratitude to the Russian president for supporting Pakistan, which was viewed as “a balancing act in the region”.

 

Responding to Putin’s invitation to attend the SCO Heads of Government Summit in November, the premier said he was looking forward to it.

 

Meanwhile, President Putin maintained that Pakistan has “always been a traditional partner” and remains as such in Asia, and Moscow “cherishes these ties”.

 

He said that both sides had agreed to further their mutual relations, and bilateral trade needed to be enhanced.

 

President Putin also extended his condolences to the people and the government of Pakistan on the losses suffered from catastrophes and natural disasters, including recent flooding.