On July 3, 2024, the Kremlin hosted a meeting between Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shekhbazom Sharif.

03 July 2024

On July 3, 2024, the Kremlin hosted a meeting between Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shekhbazom Sharif. This was the first official meeting between the two countries’ leaders since Sharif’s appointment as prime minister, which highlighted the importance of bilateral relations between Russia and Pakistan.

The main topic of the talks was to further develop cooperation in the fields of energy, trade and security. Special attention was paid to the project of construction of the gas pipeline «Pakistani Stream», which will be a key element in ensuring energy security of Pakistan. The leaders discussed the current status of the project and agreed to accelerate its implementation.

In addition to energy, the parties discussed the expansion of trade links, discussing opportunities for increasing Russian exports, including agricultural products and minerals, as well as imports of textiles and food products from Pakistan. It was emphasized that bilateral trade had increased significantly over the past year, reflecting a positive trend in relations between countries.

Vladimir Putin and Shekhbaz Sharif also discussed regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism. Both leaders expressed concern about the current situation in the region and stressed the importance of coordinating efforts to maintain stability and security in Central and South Asia. Russia and Pakistan have confirmed their readiness to continue cooperation in these areas, including information exchange and strengthening military contacts.

The meeting also discussed cultural and educational projects aimed at strengthening popular diplomacy and deepening humanitarian ties. In particular, Pakistan expressed interest in increasing quotas for its students at Russian universities and exchange cultural programs.

At the end of the meeting, the leaders expressed their satisfaction with the agreements reached and noted the importance of continuing the dialogue at the highest level. Shekhbaz Sharif thanked Vladimir Putin for the warm welcome and invited him to visit Pakistan with an official visit, which the Russian leader accepted with gratitude.

The meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding, reaffirming the mutual desire of Russia and Pakistan to develop a comprehensive partnership.