Russia Hails Pakistan as "Natural Ally" in Economic, Energy Development

Moscow Eyes Deeper Economic and Connectivity Ties with Islamabad

Pakistan-Russia Cooperation Bolstered, New Steel Mill in Focus

A top Russian official has characterized Pakistan as a "natural ally" and a significant partner in the region's economic and energy development. These remarks were made by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk during a meeting in Moscow with Pakistan's Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi, and SAPM on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan. The Pakistani delegation is in Moscow to attend INNOPROM, Russia's largest annual industrial trade fair, which serves as a platform for fostering partnerships across various high-tech industries.

During the discussions, the Pakistani officials reiterated that strong relations with Russia remain a key foreign policy priority for Islamabad. Deputy PM Overchuk, recalling his previous visit to Pakistan for the SCO Summit, conveyed President Vladimir Putin's view of Pakistan as a crucial partner for regional economic and energy growth. He also emphasized the importance of connectivity projects, specifically mentioning the railway link between Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Russia, along with the planned launch of a pilot cargo train between Pakistan and Russia in August 2025.

The meeting also delved into regional and international developments, including the situations in South Asia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in multilateral forums. Pakistan's SAPM on Industries highlighted the government's investment-friendly policies and ongoing talks for establishing a new steel mill in Karachi. This project is seen as a potential "leap forward" in Pakistan-Russia cooperation and a significant revival of a legacy project, referring to the Pakistan Steel Mills originally built with Soviet assistance in the 1970s.

Welcoming the high-level visit, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk reiterated President Putin's dedication to expanding cooperation with Islamabad across all major sectors. He also conveyed President Putin's anticipation of meeting the Pakistani Prime Minister on the sidelines of the upcoming SCO-Council of Heads of State summit, scheduled to take place in Tianjin, China, later this August.