Islamabad: In a significant development, Pakistan and Russia have pledged to deepen their cooperation across multiple sectors including trade, energy, and education. This commitment was solidified during discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Mishustin, on the sidelines of the 23rd SCO Heads of Council of Heads of Government meeting held in Islamabad.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the talks were comprehensive, covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations and building on the positive developments of the past two decades. The leaders agreed to strengthen dialogue and collaboration, focusing on sectors that will facilitate direct benefits to both nations.

The meeting underscored the importance of people-to-people relations, with plans to initiate language exchanges and bolster cooperation within the banking sectors to ease trade and investment. The two leaders also confirmed their intent to support each other in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Prime Minister Sharif reminisced about his inaugural visit to Moscow, expressing a desire to convert the goodwill generated into a long-standing partnership with Russia. He particularly thanked Russia for supporting Pakistan’s bid for BRICS membership, which represents a significant endorsement on the global stage.

The discussion also revisited the productive dialogue held with President Vladimir Putin in July, with an emphasis on enhancing direct flights to improve connectivity between the two countries. Prime Minister Mishustin commended Pakistan for its hospitality and the excellent management of the SCO meeting, expressing his eagerness to elevate Russo-Pakistani relations to new heights.

This dialogue marks a pivotal moment for both countries as they seek to harness their historical ties and strategic interests to foster a robust partnership.