ISLAMABAD: Russia has sought to expand and deepen cooperation with Pakistan as the first shipment carrying Russian oil reached Karachi Port at the weekend. On the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Islamabad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a video statement expressing his country’s desire to expand cooperation with South Asian countries.

Pakistan and Russia have remained bitter cold-war rivals but their bilateral ties have taken a positive turn in recent years with both sides willing to bury the past and adjust to new realities. Two countries have been making efforts to translate their years of quiet diplomacy into tangible outcomes. In April, two countries signed a landmark deal that allowed Pakistan to receive its first Russian oil shipment at the weekend.

“We know about the great interest and respect that Pakistani people have towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin. We appreciate it very much,” the Russian foreign minister said in a statement. He said that there had been different periods in bilateral relations over the past three-quarters of a century. However, he added, Russia had always been interested in expanding cooperation with Pakistan and under no circumstances has abandoned its commitments. “Participation of Soviet specialists in the construction of the largest steel mill in Karachi (now called Pakistan Steel Mills) in the 1980s, despite the conflict raging in Afghanistan at the time, is clear evidence of this. Guddu Thermal Power Plant, then the largest in your country was also commissioned at that time,” according to Lavrov.

“Nowadays, our relations are advanced and based on trust. They are founded on concurrence or proximity of approaches to key issues of international agenda. Together with our Pakistani partners, we stand for shaping a more just and democratic multipolar world order,” he added. “We respect cultural and civilizational diversity of peoples and their right to determine avenues of their political, social, and economic development themselves. I would like to note that Russia’s vision of world order and our understanding of traditional moral values are in harmony with principles of faith, unity, and discipline formulated by the father of Pakistani people Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

It is on these pillars that the statehood of modern Pakistan is based.” “We highly appreciate Pakistan’s contribution to the activities of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. We welcome Islamabad’s active involvement in joint work within SCO as a full member of this organization.” “We consider the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to be a key international partner in joint efforts to combat common security challenges and threats, including transborder crime and terrorism.” He concluded the video by raising the slogan “Pakistan-Roosi dosti zindabad.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 14 2023

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