https://ift.tt/n02wZvC Pakistan and Russia on Tuesday agreed to further deepen and diversify their bilateral cooperation in different fields as senior officials met here for bilateral political consultations. The fifth round of Pakistan-Russia Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Islamabad. Foreign Secretary Dr Asad Majeed Khan and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, led their respective sides. Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Zamir Kabulov was also part of the Russian delegation. A statement issued by the foreign office said the two sides engaged in comprehensive and productive discussions to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and to deepen understanding on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The talks encompassed a wide range of topics including political, economic, defence, energy and people-to-people contacts. The two sides reiterated their strong desire to deepen and diversify bilateral relations based on the principles of mutual understanding, trust and cooperation. Also read: Russia rubbishes claims of 'special' oil discount They also expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of cooperation in the field of energy and agreed to expand cooperation in higher education, culture and science and technology. In the realm of security cooperation, the delegations reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in combating terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime. The two delegations agreed to enhance cooperation in multilateral forums and exchanged views on regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East and South Asia. Agreeing that the dividends of peace in Afghanistan would be beneficial for the entire region, they reaffirmed support for efforts for sustainable peace, stability and continued humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The consultations provided an opportunity to review the trajectory of Pakistan-Russia relations and to explore new areas of cooperation particularly in the context of commemorating the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-Russia diplomatic relations this year. The next round of Pakistan- Russia Bilateral Political Consultations would be held in Moscow on mutually convenient dates. Pakistan and Russia, which were in opposite camps during the cold war and particularly during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, have now developed close ties. Only recently the first shipment carrying Russian oil docked at the Karachi Port. The ship carrying 45,000 metric tons of crude oil was part of the deal struck in April between the two countries. Another shipment carrying 50,000 metric tons of oil would reach Pakistan soon. The first shipment of oil is part of the pilot project to assess if the deal can benefit Pakistan, which otherwise imports oil from the Gulf countries mainly from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait. Pakistan also imported LPG from Russia recently via Afghanistan. This is part of efforts by Pakistan to diversify its options and reduce dependence on the US dollar given the balance of payment crisis. Pakistan paid Russia in Chinese currency in a move seen as reducing dependence on US currency. However, seeking close ties with Russia doesn’t mean Pakistan will abandon the US or west. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at a recent keynote address in Islamabad stressed that Pakistan always opposed bloc politics, saying Islamabad sought mutually beneficial relationships with all big powers. But observers believe that given the current international geopolitics, it may not be easy for Pakistan to maintain that delicate balance.
from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/dN6HBUn
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