Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reaffirmed Russia’s interest in deepening its partnership with Pakistan within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), with a particular focus on counter-terrorism efforts.
The statement came during a meeting in Moscow with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, who is currently visiting Russia. Fatemi conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s greetings and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation in energy, trade, and regional connectivity.
During the meeting, Fatemi also briefed Lavrov on the security situation in South Asia, especially the heightened tensions between Pakistan and India. He emphasized the potential consequences of India’s recent threat to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a pact brokered by the World Bank in 1960. This move, he noted, could destabilize the already fragile regional balance.
India had announced the suspension of the treaty following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. Without presenting evidence, New Delhi blamed Pakistan and responded with missile and drone strikes on Pakistani cities, escalating tensions to levels not seen in nearly three decades.
In response, Pakistan launched “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting Indian military installations. During the confrontation, Pakistan downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, along with dozens of drones. Hostilities ended on May 10 following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
According to the Pakistani military’s public relations wing, 53 people, including 13 armed forces personnel and 40 civilians, lost their lives during the conflict.
Lavrov expressed satisfaction over the progress in bilateral relations and highlighted joint projects such as steel mills and infrastructure development. He also reiterated Russia’s desire to see improved relations between Pakistan and India, stressing that normalization would benefit regional stability.
Before the meeting concluded, Fatemi personally handed over a letter from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
