islamabad: Pakistan and Russia on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Senate President Yusuf Raza Gilani and Guest Speaker of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko at a ceremony in the State House. “This visit marks a turning point in the long and historic journey of cooperation between Pakistan and Russia and strengthens our common commitment to peace, prosperity and mutual respect in the region,” Gilani said on the occasion.
He also said that the agreement lays the foundation for strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and emphasizes the exchange of parliamentary delegations to further cooperation between the two countries. He added that the agreement will facilitate exchanges between friendly groups of the parliament.
Pakistan, Russia to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Separately, Mr. Matviyenko and Mr. Gilani discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and diplomacy between the two countries. Gilani said Matviyenko’s visit to Pakistan will give new impetus to bilateral relations and promote peace, development and prosperity in the region.
Matviyenko said Russia highly values relations with Pakistan. He said promoting parliamentary relations would not only expand trade and investment between the two countries, but also bring the peoples of the two countries closer together. She also met with Parliament Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and discussed ways to strengthen ties between the two countries. Mr. Sadiq noted that historically parliamentary diplomacy has played an important role in strengthening bilateral relations and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue cooperation with Russia across areas of common interest.
Mr. Matviyenko also spoke in the special session of the Senate, the upper house of parliament. She will also visit President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Pakistan and Russia have recently strengthened ties through continued trade and business activities. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk visited Pakistan in September to expand trade and investment.
Is that a concern for India?
It is worth mentioning that bilateral relations between Russia and Pakistan have expanded in recent years. Annual bilateral trade between the two countries increased by nearly 50% last year to more than $1 billion, a record high between the two countries, the Business Record reported.
Russia, facing the pain of Western sanctions after the Ukraine war, has diversified its trade with other countries to overcome its economic hardship. Last year, the first shipment of Russian crude oil arrived at Karachi port, and by the end of the year, the share of crude oil in Russia’s exports to Pakistan will exceed 20%, Russian officials told BR.
In early September, Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker and Speaker of the Russian Federation’s Parliament, addressed a special session of the Senate convened in her honor during a visit to Islamabad, stating that “the development of economic cooperation, including in energy, is promising.” There are many areas.” and the agricultural industry sector.” Pakistan and Russia conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise last week, with military officials from both countries hailing the exercise as a successful demonstration of tactical skills and military-to-military cooperation.
However, this is not a concern for India as Moscow is an all-weather “friend” of New Delhi and has so far not signed any defense agreements with Islamabad that could pose a threat to India.
(Information provided by agency)
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