MOSCOW: Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a two-day official visit, at a time when the world’s eyes are on the events on the Russia-Ukraine border and US-led Western powers are lashing out at the Kremlin.
On his arrival, the Prime Minister was greeted by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov. A guard of honor was also presented to the Prime Minister. Erdogan is expected to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (today).
The last Pakistani prime minister to visit Russia was Nawaz Sharif in March 1999, while former president Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Moscow in 2011.
Mr. Khan’s visit is highly anticipated by many inside and outside Pakistan, but the Pakistani government sees it as a start. greater relationship in strategic, energy and regional connectivity. The timing of the visit has been shabby debated, but senior Pakistani government officials describe it as one of the rarest opportunities for the energy-starved country to make progress on energy, regional connectivity and its role in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal.
Pakistan seeks Russian aid in energy sector
In a brief conversation with Pakistani journalists, a senior government official said energy will be the key sector Pakistan wants to advance.
This visit is considered a double-edged sword and the government must be cautious, as the prime minister has already disregarded the timing of the visit and any impact it would have on Pakistan’s relations with the West.
To read: ‘Be careful’: Analysts comment on Prime Minister Imran’s trip to Russia amid Ukraine tensions
However, National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf rejected ideas about the timing of the visit. Yes, there is global tension, but our visit is of a dual nature and a similar path was followed during the visit to China, where the economy, economic indicators and connectivity were at the center of this tour,” he said.
When asked about Pakistan’s stance crisis deepensHe said Pakistan’s message to Russia and the whole world is that there is no zero-sum game and there is no such thing. [demand] Also from the Kremlin.
This seems to clear the dust around Mr. Khan’s visit, but Thursday’s meeting and a joint declaration are hardly predictable.
Rising tensions over the Ukraine-Russia crisis have been brewing for more than two months, with no effort so far to reduce the tensions that have put a country like Pakistan under great pressure for various reasons.
Thursday won’t be a random day for Prime Minister Khan to make a diplomatic speech, as his words are expected to be measured and calculated. The world is watching, Pakistan is looking to a larger role in Afghanistan, promoting progress in the gas pipeline and promoting the renewal of relations that have had a bitter history since we entered the US-led camp to drive the Red Army out of Kabul.