Islamabad: Senior Pakistani and Russian officials held high-level diplomatic meetings on Thursday in both Kuala Lumpur and Moscow, reaffirming their strategic partnership and advancing cooperation in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and trade. The discussions also focused on two major economic initiatives: a new steel plant in Karachi and a regional rail connectivity project.
In Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, both leaders reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and agreed to meet again next week during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers meeting.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, accompanied by PM’s Aide on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, held separate meetings with Russian officials. The focus remained on enhancing economic cooperation, with particular emphasis on energy security and industrial development.
During a meeting with the First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Pavel Sorokin, Ambassador Fatemi expressed satisfaction with ongoing energy cooperation and thanked the Russian government for its role in supporting Pakistan’s energy needs. Discussions also covered potential collaboration in hydropower, LPG, and the modernization of oil refineries.
Pavel Sorokin, who visited Pakistan earlier this year and met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, highlighted the growing energy partnership and identified the upcoming 10th session of the Pakistan-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) in Islamabad as a key opportunity to further expand cooperation.
A central point of the talks was the new steel mill project in Karachi, which builds on the historical legacy of Pakistan-Russia industrial collaboration. SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan described the project as “a leap forward” for future economic ties. The two countries signed an agreement on May 13 to establish the new plant, and both sides are working to finalise its operational framework in the coming months.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, in a separate meeting with the Pakistani delegation, conveyed President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to strengthening ties with Islamabad. He emphasized Pakistan’s importance as a regional economic and energy partner and discussed strategic connectivity projects—including a proposed railway link connecting Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Russia.
The launch of a pilot cargo train between Pakistan and Russia, scheduled for August 2025, was also highlighted as a significant step toward improving regional trade and logistics.
While official statements did not confirm it, discussions reportedly also touched on Russia’s recent formal recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan—a move that has stirred debate among regional players. Islamabad did not include this topic in its formal readout, in line with a previously agreed “regional approach” to recognition.
Pakistan described the meetings as constructive and forward-looking, underscoring the shared desire to enhance cooperation in energy, industry, and connectivity. The developing partnership between the two countries signals a broader strategic alignment at a time of shifting global alliances and regional economic recalibration.
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