MOSCOW (Shahid Ghumman): Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif is expected to undertake a four-day official visit to Russia from November 30 to December 3, during which he will hold an important meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The proposed visit will focus particularly on further promoting cooperation between the two countries in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic and energy sectors.
According to diplomatic sources, during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s expected visit there will be high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia, the regional situation, economic partnership and international affairs of mutual interest are expected to be discussed.
The meeting between the two leaders is likely to discuss increasing trade between Pakistan and Russia, cooperation in the energy sector, oil and gas supplies, investment, industrial development and bilateral economic projects.
The talks may also cover Russian cooperation in the revival and modernization of Pakistan Steel Mills, development of energy infrastructure, agriculture, food security and further strengthening trade links between the two countries.
Discussions are also expected on facilitating banking and financial transactions between Pakistan and Russia, trade payment mechanisms and resolving issues faced by the business community.
On regional and international matters, the situation in Afghanistan, regional security, stability in South and Central Asia and cooperation between Pakistan and Russia at various international forums may also be discussed.
On the occasion of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit, a Pakistan-Russia Business Forum is also likely to be held, in which around 100 businesspeople and representatives of various companies from Pakistan are expected to participate.
The business forum is also expected to feature direct business-to-business (B2B) meetings between Pakistani and Russian business enterprises, aimed at promoting trade partnerships, joint investment and business opportunities between the two countries.
The Pakistani business delegation is expected to include representation from companies associated with textiles, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, industrial products, energy and other sectors.
It should be noted that on the occasion of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s previously scheduled visit to Russia, a large business delegation and a Pakistan-Russia Business Forum programme were also under consideration, but that visit was postponed. It is expected that the important parts of the previous programme will be retained in the new visit.
During the Prime Minister’s proposed visit, a special meeting with Pakistani students studying in Russia is also possible, in which students’ educational experiences, problems and educational cooperation between Pakistan and Russia may be discussed.
In addition, a one-day visit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Russia’s historic and cultural city of St. Petersburg is also being suggested as a possibility.
In recent years, high-level diplomatic contacts and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Russia have increased. Both countries wish to expand relations in various sectors, including trade, energy, industrial cooperation, education and regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s expected visit will be an important development in this series, which is expected to help strengthen political ties between the two countries and create new opportunities for economic cooperation.
However, the formal announcement of the final dates of the Prime Minister’s visit, the complete composition of the delegation and the detailed programme of various meetings is still pending.
About The Author
