On Saturday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has given Pakistan wheat in addition to gas supplies in light of the damage to the country’s breadbasket caused by disastrous floods.
Asif added that the Russian president has also extended an invitation to the prime minister and that the visit will occur.
“They have said they can provide us with gas. Russia stated that it has gas pipelines in Central Asian nations, and that these pipelines may be expanded through Afghanistan to Pakistan. These discussions have occurred.”
Russia has praised Pakistan’s position on the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to the ministry of defence.
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit China for the first time during the first week of November at the request of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The offer was issued at a meeting between the two leaders in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference, according to the defence minister.
Asif noted that the meeting between the prime minister and the Chinese president was quite fruitful. He stated that President Xi pledged to advance the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and also referred to Pakistan as an “all-weather strategic ally.”
Asif continued by expressing that all SCO members have indicated a willingness to assist Pakistan in the midst of its devastation by flooding.
This occurs at a time when efforts are being made to reset the strained relationship between Pakistan and the United States.
The recent visit of a senior adviser to the US secretary of state to Islamabad and the approval of the $450 million sale of F-16 equipment by the administration of US President Joe Biden are indications that Washington wishes to retain a working relationship with Islamabad.
Shehbaz’s Thursday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Friday’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping are crucial and demonstrate that Pakistan is attempting to maintain a careful balance in its relations with major nations.
The transcript issued by Putin’s office following his conversation with Shehbaz indicated a desire to strengthen ties with Pakistan. In his first encounter with Shehbaz, President Xi described the Pakistani prime minister as “a person of practicality and effectiveness.”
Shehbaz also lavished admiration on Putin, describing Russia as a “superpower” and Putin as a “man of words.” The Russian president opened his discussion with Shehbaz by recalling his working relationship with Shehbaz’s older brother, Nawaz Sharif, during the latter’s tenure as prime minister.
Observers say Shehbaz’s flurry of meetings with the Russian and Chinese presidents indicates that Pakistan’s policy to diversify the country’s foreign policy options remains unchanged.
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
