Islamabad: Pakistan has announced plans to join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), while Russia has expressed support for linking the trade route with Gwadar Port, as both countries continue to expand economic and strategic cooperation.
The development was disclosed by Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari during a keynote address at a webinar titled “Pakistan-Russia Bilateral Relationship at the cusp of shifting global order.” He described the trajectory of bilateral relations as increasingly stable and pragmatic over the past two decades.
According to an official statement, Pakistan’s decision to pursue membership in the INSTC reflects its focus on enhancing regional connectivity and trade integration. The corridor is a 7,200-kilometre multimodal network that connects India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe through sea, rail, and road routes.
During the event, the minister welcomed remarks by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk regarding the potential linkage of the INSTC with Gwadar Port. Such a connection, he noted, could serve as a key bridge between Eurasian trade routes and Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure.
Leghari said bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia have undergone significant transformation, moving from historical mistrust to what he described as a more cooperative and trusted partnership across sectors including trade, energy, defence, and technology.
He highlighted frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries, including four meetings between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent times. He also pointed to ongoing coordination through the Russia-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC), which he said remains a key institutional framework for bilateral cooperation.
The minister added that both countries are working to strengthen trade ties and address structural challenges, including payment mechanisms, under a proposed Economic Cooperation Programme extending to 2030.
He further noted the signing of a Russia-Pakistan Readmission Agreement in Bishkek, which is expected to facilitate visa processes and improve mobility for business and diplomatic engagement.
According to the minister, cooperation between Pakistan and Russia also extends to consultations on security, strategic stability, counter-terrorism, and coordination at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Officials said the proposed integration into the INSTC aligns with Pakistan’s broader objective of enhancing regional connectivity and positioning itself as a key transit hub in emerging Eurasian trade networks.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
