Islamabad, In a significant diplomatic engagement, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev of the Russian Federation met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, focusing on reinforcing the bilateral relations between Russia and Pakistan, especially in energy, trade, and investment sectors.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting held on 29 March 2024 was marked by expressions of solidarity and intentions to deepen the cooperative bond between the two nations. Prime Minister Sharif extended his condolences for the recent Crocus City Hall attack in Russia and acknowledged the supportive gestures from Russian President Vladimir Putin, reflecting the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries.

The discussions underscored the mutual interest in advancing bilateral cooperation, with specific emphasis on the forthcoming 9th session of the Inter-governmental Commission (IGC) and the potential for increased trade and investment linkages. The Prime Minister advocated for enhanced interactions between the respective country delegations to explore new avenues for collaboration.

Recalling their previous encounter during the SCO Summit in Samarkand in 2022, Prime Minister Sharif reiterated the invitation to President Putin for an official visit to Pakistan, aiming to further cement the countries’ relations. Ambassador Khorev, affirming Russia’s interest in building stronger ties, mentioned the desire to also expand cooperation into education and culture, highlighting the dynamic nature of the Russo-Pakistani relationship and their active involvement in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).