ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan told Russian President Vladimir Putin disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy as he regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine, said a Foreign Office statement issued here on Thursday after a meeting between the two leaders in Moscow.
Prime Minister Imran, who is on an official visit to Russia, held an over three-hour long meeting with the Russian president, hours after Moscow ordered a full scale assault on Ukraine that drew strong reaction from the West.
The Pakistani delegation woke up in the morning with the news of Russian attack, something that made the prime minister visit even more daunting given some had already advised him not to go ahead with the trip against the backdrop of brewing tensions.
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Prime Minister Imran was the first foreign dignitary to have met President Putin at Kremlin after the attack on Ukraine and hence the entire world was closely following the meeting between the two leaders.
The primary objective of Imran’s visit was to discuss bilateral ties as well as regional issues, particularly Afghanistan. A statement issued by the Kremlin did not explicitly mention that the issue of Ukraine was discussed during the meeting.
However, the Foreign Office statement of the Imran-Putin meeting confirmed that the subject did come up for discussion. “The prime minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict,” read the Foreign Office handout.
It said that Imran stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest, economically, in case of conflict. He underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, according to the Foreign Office.
Observers believe that the statement suggested that the prime minister tried to maintain a delicate balance by not taking sides in the conflict that could engulf the entire Europe.
Meanwhile, the statement said the two leaders held wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Recalling the telephone conversations between the two leaders during the recent months, the prime minister expressed confidence that the positive trajectory of bilateral relations would continue to move forward in the future.
He added that the trust and cordiality, marking the bilateral relationship, would translate into further deepening and broadening of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.
The two leaders discussed cooperation in prospective energy-related projects. Imran reaffirmed the importance of the Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia. He underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forge a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.
In the regional context, Imran underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan. He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan.
In this regard, the prime minister underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
On the situation in South Asia, the prime minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and underscored the imperative of peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The prime minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance. Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, the prime minister emphasised the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence.
Appreciating President Putin’s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the prime minister said that inter-faith harmony and respect for all religions was imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies.
Later, Prime Minister Imran held a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and an interactive session with notable businessmen of Pakistan and Russia. During the meetings, Imran highlighted the reforms undertaken in different sectors to improve business environment in Pakistan.
Novak, also the minister of energy, called on the prime minister along with a delegation. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Russian companies and businesses would benefit from Pakistan’s improved business environment and invest in different sectors of Pakistan’s economy.
Expressing satisfaction on the current level of cooperation in the fields of energy, trade, investment, railways etc, both sides agreed that an Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) was the pivotal platform to further advance specific projects.
Following the meeting, the prime minister had an interactive session with notable businessmen of Pakistan and Russia over dinner. The prime minister stated that Pakistan as a market of more than 220 million provided opportunity for trade and investment.
He stated that forthcoming investment conference in Pakistan next month would be an opportunity for metallurgical, energy, construction and oil and gas companies to explore the immense potential in Pakistan.
