Pakistan, Russia advancing strategic ties in energy, trade and defence: Envoy
MOSCOW: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi has said that 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.
In an exclusive interview with APP, the ambassador said Pakistan would warmly welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin on a future visit, noting that the Russian leader enjoys significant respect among the Pakistani people.
Highlighting economic engagement, he said both countries were currently working to enhace cooperation in field of energy, a vital pillar of bilateral relations.
The Ambassador said Pakistan and Russia were conducting bilateral trade in alternative currencies, including Russian ruble and Chinese yuan, due to international financial constraints, adding that transactions were 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 was 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 had significantly expanded in recent years, encompassing energy, defence, economic cooperation and regional security.
On security collaboration, the ambassador noted that both countries were actively working together on counter-terrorism and were part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
He also announced that joint military exercises between Pakistani and Russian forces were 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. APP
