Beijing, September 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an important meeting on Tuesday, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in trade, energy, and regional connectivity.
The meeting took place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where both leaders emphasized the need to deepen ties in diverse sectors, including agriculture, steel, transport, and energy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz praised President Putin’s personal commitment to improving Pakistan-Russia cooperation, stating that relations between the two countries have significantly advanced in recent years. He also highlighted the importance of the proposed trade corridor linking Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, which would strengthen regional trade, economic growth, and connectivity.
Shehbaz further noted that after their previous meeting in Astana, both sides witnessed a surge in high-level visits, delegation exchanges, and agreements aimed at boosting collaboration. He expressed confidence that Pakistan-Russia trade and energy cooperation will continue to expand, especially after Pakistan began importing oil from Russia last year, leading to a noticeable increase in bilateral trade volume.
President Putin echoed these sentiments, calling Pakistan a “traditional partner in Asia” and stressing the need to further intensify trade and economic cooperation. He extended condolences to Pakistan over losses from recent floods and natural disasters, expressing optimism that the country would overcome challenges under its current leadership.
The Russian president also emphasized Pakistan’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, noting that both countries continue close engagement within the UN framework and at the inter-parliamentary level.
PM Shehbaz thanked President Putin for supporting Pakistan in balancing regional ties while respecting Russia’s relations with India. He assured that Pakistan seeks to establish its own strong partnership with Moscow, describing these ties as “complementary” and vital for regional peace and prosperity.
Looking ahead, PM Shehbaz accepted President Putin’s invitation to attend the upcoming SCO Heads of Government Summit in November 2025, underlining Pakistan’s strong commitment to multilateral cooperation.
Pakistan-Tajikistan Cooperation
On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met Tajikistan’s President, where both leaders expressed satisfaction over their growing partnership. They agreed to strengthen ties in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, reaffirming their resolve to promote stability and development across the region.
