Islamabad: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk concluded a significant two-day visit to Islamabad on September 19, marked by high-level meetings and the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The visit underscored a mutual interest in strengthening ties between Russia and Pakistan, particularly in trade, economy, and other key areas.

According to Embassy of the Russian Federation, during his stay in Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk engaged with several top officials including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir. The discussions were part of a broader effort to deepen the dialogue on the current state and future prospects of Russia-Pakistan relations.

The Russian delegation included representatives from various ministries, state agencies, state corporations, and major private companies. These representatives held substantive talks with their Pakistani counterparts, focusing on sectors such as trade, economy, transportation, energy, agriculture, and education. The discussions also covered their engagement in multilateral formats, with particular attention to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

A highlight of the visit was the signing of two MoUs. The first, between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Russian Federation, covered trade, connectivity, and other areas of mutual cooperation. The second MoU involved the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX) and the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX), promising enhanced cooperation between these two entities.

This visit and the agreements signed therein are expected to pave the way for a strengthened partnership between the two nations, facilitating increased collaboration and mutual benefits in the coming years.