[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Tuesday will see the continuation of bilateral political negotiations between Pakistan and Russia, two nations that were once fierce adversaries during the Cold War.
The fifth round of bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and the Russian Federation will take place on June 20 in Islamabad, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.
Andrey Rudenko, the deputy foreign minister of Russia, will lead the group on its 20–21 June 2023 visit to Islamabad. The team from Pakistan will be led by Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan.
The two sides will assess the status of their bilateral ties, pinpoint areas of shared interest for future collaboration, and trade opinions on crucial national and international events.
“Pakistan and Russia have cordial ties based on trust, respect, and understanding. This year, the two nations are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations, according to the statement.
Russia and Pakistan, which during the cold war, particularly during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, were on opposing sides, have since forged close connections.
Also Read: PM making one more try to save IMF accord.
The first shipment of Russian oil only recently docked at the Karachi Port. The agreement between the two nations was part of the ship carrying 45,000 metric tonnes of crude oil. Pakistan would shortly get a second cargo comprising 50,000 metric tonnes of oil.
The initial oil shipment is a part of a pilot experiment to determine whether Pakistan can gain from the agreement. Pakistan already imports oil from the Gulf, primarily from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
In recent times, Pakistan has also imported LPG from Russia via Afghanistan. Given the balance of payment issue, Pakistan is making attempts to diversify its choices and lessen its reliance on the US currency. Pakistan made a payment to Russia in Chinese yuan in an effort to lessen its reliance on US dollars.
But pursuing tight ties with Russia does not entail Pakistan’s rejection of the US or the West. At a recent keynote speech in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasised that Pakistan has always eschewed bloc tactics and that Islamabad seeks to have cooperative relationships with all major powers.
However, many think that Pakistan may find it difficult to maintain that delicate balance given the current geopolitics of the world.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
