Pakistan aims 'long-term, multi-dimensional' partnership with Russia

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday extended an invitation to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to visit Pakistan, which he "gladly accepted", according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office said.

The two foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers in Moscow.

Both agreed to remain in close contact and pursue enhanced cooperation in all spheres of common interest.

The communique said that the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including the Covid-19 situation, prospects of enhanced bilateral cooperation, regional issues and cooperation at multilateral fora.

They also exchanged views on further strengthening trade and economic cooperation including in the field of energy. Foreign Minister Lavrov welcomed Pakistan’s participation in the forthcoming Kavkaz military exercise scheduled to be held in Russia later this month.

FM Qureshi underscored that Pakistan considered Russia an important partner and aimed to forge a long-term and multi-dimensional partnership with Russia.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Afghanistan in the context of the recent positive developments. The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s positive contribution to the efforts for Afghan peace and reconciliation process and reaffirmed support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

On Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), FM Qureshi shared deep concerns over the grave human rights and humanitarian situation as well as the Indian attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory. The foreign minister said that the urgent necessity of addressing the grave situation in IIOJK.