Russia-Pakistan relations are advanced and based on trust: Lavrov

Russia is keen to expand bilateral ties with Pakistan as the first shipment carrying discounted Russian oil reached Karachi Port last weekend, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Lavrov made these remarks in a video message on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Islamabad, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.

He said Russia views Pakistan as a “key international partner in the joint efforts to combat common security challenges and threats, including transborder crime and terrorism.”

“We know about the great interest and respect that the Pakistani people have towards Russia and president Vladimir Putin. We appreciate it very much,” the Russian foreign minister said in a statement.

He said 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.

“The 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. The 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 the concurrence or proximity of approaches to the key issues of the international agenda. Together with our Pakistani partners, we stand for shaping a more just and democratic multipolar world order,” he added.

Russian oil cargo Pure Point, carrying crude oil, is seen anchored at the port in Karachi, Pakistan June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

“We respect the cultural and civilisational diversity of peoples and their right to determine the avenues of their political, social and economic development themselves. I would like to note that Russia’s vision of the world order and our understanding of traditional moral values are in harmony with the principles of faith, unity and discipline formulated by the father of the Pakistani people Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is on these pillars that the statehood of modern Pakistan is based,” Lavrov said.

He said Russia attached great importance to further constructive cooperation with Pakistan in international fora.

“We highly appreciate Pakistan’s contribution to the activities of the United Nations and its specialised agencies. We welcome Islamabad’s active involvement in joint work within the SCO as a full member of this organisation, which plays an important role in establishing multilateral cooperation in Greater Eurasia.”

“It is encouraging that over the recent years, we have succeeded in making significant progress in bilateral trade. Russia has become a major supplier of wheat to Pakistan, with shipments exceeding one million tonnes last year. Negotiations on launching a cooperation project in the oil sector are at their final stage.”

He said that Russia was willing to work together on further engagement with Pakistan and its people, strengthening mutually beneficial relations in politics, security, economy, education, cultural and humanitarian fields, as well as in other areas.

He concluded the video by raising the slogan “Pakistan-Roosi dosti zindabad.”

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 the new realities. The two countries have been making efforts to translate their years of quiet diplomacy into tangible outcomes.