In meeting with Putin, PM Shehbaz says Pak-Russia relations stand 'on own strength'

• PM Shehbaz emphasises expanding bilateral barter trade .
• PM expresses desire to enhance Russian cooperation in energy field.
• Shehbaz to attend Pakistan, Turkiye, Azerbaijan trilateral meeting.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Islamabad and Moscow's relationship stood on its own, stressing the need to further boost bilateral cooperation.

"Our relations stand on our own strength, neither our relations are driven by any geopolitical contingency nor are these impacted by our relations with other countries," the prime minister said.

The premier is currently in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana to attend the twin Summits of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State and SCO plus.

PM Shehbaz emphasised the need to overcome financial and other banking issues to expand barter trade between Pakistan and Russia.

In his exclusive meeting with the Russian president today, he said Pakistan has long business relations with Russia. He recalled that Pakistan used to import a lot of machinery and goods from Russia and export textile and leather goods under the barter trade.

The premier further said the two countries can certainly enhance trade, which is at the moment, touching one billion dollars, Radio Pakistan reported.

He also commended the Russian top leader for promoting cooperation in the field of energy at his request. He added Pakistan has received a shipment of oil from Russia and there is a need to further move in this direction.

As regards bilateral relations between both countries, PM Shehbaz said these ties have been on a positive trajectory over the last many years and this is a matter of great comfort for the two countries.

The prime minister, on the occasion, also expressed the desire to work closely with President Putin to further cement bilateral relations.

During his ongoing visit to Kazakhstan, PM Shehbaz was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, senior cabinet members and officers.

The prime minister will present Pakistan's perspectives on key regional and global issues at the SCO Heads of State meeting. He will also address the SCO plus summit, a PM Office press release said.

He will present Pakistan's position on key regional and global issues, emphasising the importance of the global organisation's role for the welfare of the SCO region's people.

The prime minister is also likely to attend a round of trilateral meetings between Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan expected to take place on Wednesday (today).