Monitoring Desk: “Islamabad and Moscow are steadily expanding cooperation across key sectors, including energy, trade, defence, and regional security, reflecting growing strategic convergence between the two countries.”
This was stated by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Syed Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, in an exclusive interview with Mudassar Iqbal of the state-run news agency APP.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Tirmizi said Pakistan is expecting a visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future.
Talking about economic engagement between the two countries, Ambassador Tirmizi said both countries are currently working to enhance cooperation in the field of energy, a vital pillar of bilateral relations.
The ambassador said Pakistan and Russia are conducting bilateral trade in alternative currencies, including the Russian ruble and Chinese yuan, due to international financial constraints, adding that transactions are no longer carried out in US dollars.
“Both countries are adopting alternative currency mechanisms for trade in view of global financial restrictions,” he noted.
Tirmizi said Pakistan is keen to join BRICS, describing it as an emerging platform in the global economic landscape, and expressed hope for broader international support for its inclusion.
He further said that Pakistan-Russia relations have significantly expanded in recent years, encompassing energy, defence, economic cooperation, and regional security.
On security collaboration, the ambassador noted that both countries are actively working together on counter-terrorism and are part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
He also announced that joint military exercises between Pakistani and Russian forces are scheduled to be held in Pakistan in September this year, underscoring deepening defence ties between the two nations.
The ambassador reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its multifaceted partnership with Russia, aimed at promoting regional stability and mutual economic growth.
