Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Sergey Tsivilev together with Minister of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Awais Leghari held the 9th meeting of the Russian-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
The Russia-Pakistan bilateral relations are evolving due to the changes at the system as well as regional levels. It is a historical fact that since Pakistan’s creation back in August 1947, the bilateral relations between the then Soviet Union and Pakistan saw ups and downs, and during the Cold War the relations were quite tense. However, after the end of the Cold War, the bilateral relations are not only improving but also strengthening. Pakistan’s inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and its keen interest in joining the BRICS, have further improved Russia-Pakistan bilateral relations.
After the Cold War, besides the Western politico-diplomatic pressure, Pakistan has greatly improved its bilateral relations with Russia and now both countries are eagerly engaged in various joint ventures including in the regional connectivity, trade, counter-terrorism, and defence. It is important to note here that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk paid an official two-day visit to Pakistan from September 18-19, 2024, and met Pakistan’s top civil as well as military leadership.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister visits Russia
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Mr. Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari paid an official visit to Moscow, Russia, in December 2024, to attend the 9th Meeting of the Russia-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Eight Memorandums of Agreement (MoU) were signed, including fields related to “health, trade and education” during the high-level visit. The Federal Minister led the delegation and argued that “Pakistan wants to improve bilateral ties with Russia” and maintained that “Pakistan desires to improve cultural relations, sports and human resource development with Russia.” The statement represents the official position of Pakistan and its desire to enhance its bilateral relations with Russia.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Mr. Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari also held a meeting with the Russian Minister for Transport Mr. Roman Starovoyt. Both parties discussed the potential of expanding the bilateral relations and connectivity “which would not only benefit Pakistan and Russia but the whole region.” According to a Press Release issued by the Press Information Department, Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan, it was noted that “The two sides took stock of all bilateral cooperation projects in the transport sector including road, rail and air.” It can be well understood that both sides are cognizant of the fact that more connectivity is needed using all available platforms.
We may also witness that Pakistan soon may adopt the Russian Mir payment system to ease the trade and business transactions. It could help the businessmen from both the countries to make secure and faster payments.
Pakistan to buy Russian crude oil and educational exchange
Dmitry Antonov, Chairman of the Business Council for Cooperation with Pakistan under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, took part in the Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Commission. Earlier, he outlined a number of proposals that were included in the final version of the Intergovernmental Commission protocol. In particular, the protocol reflected the interests of the Business Council members and also took into account the key problems of practical interaction with the Pakistani side.
During the meeting it was noted that Russian companies fulfil their obligations to supply oil to Pakistan, work is underway to increase and diversify commodity groups. In addition, the Russian side is considering proposals for participation in a number of investment projects in the oil and gas and electricity sectors, including the construction and reconstruction of thermal and hydropower facilities in Pakistan. It is a welcome development that Pakistan’s Comsats University and University of Peshawar have signed an agreement with Russian higher level educational institutions for cooperation and joint endeavours.
Russia-Pakistan Freight Train using the North-South Trade Corridor
Iran is an important regional player and connects to Russia through Azerbaijan. This energy corridor connects Pakistan with Russia, and thankfully Pakistan maintains friendly relations with brotherly Iran as well as Azerbaijan. The representatives from Russia and Pakistan have agreed to start a freight train using North-South Trade Corridor route from March 2025. It is equally encouraging that both sides are actively discussing the possibilities of direct flights between Moscow and Islamabad.
The Pakistani delegation met Oleg Poleev from Russian Railways, and discussed the proposed freight train to save travel time and expenses.
The future of TAPI
The Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India (TAPI) gas pipeline is a mega project that could act as a game-changer for the entire region. The TAPI gas pipeline has seen so much uncertainty in the past; however, it could readily fulfil the energy needs of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Russia is a great power and could play its role in the realization of the TAPI mega project. Such a Russian role could offset the Western influence in the region and could be a wonderful opportunity for the Russian gas companies to invest in the mega project and reap the rewards.
I am not sure, yet I am hopeful that during the 10th Meeting of the Russia-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, the leadership of both the countries could seriously think about the future of TAPI and Russia’s role in realising this mega project.
Conclusions
Russia-Pakistan bilateral relations are improving steadily and are heading in the right direction. Thankfully, Pakistan’s statecraft has realised to strike a balance in its relations with the United States and Russia, as both great powers are equally important for Pakistan. However, Pakistan has relative geographical proximity to Russia as compared to the U.S., and Russia could better provide energy alternates to Pakistan. It is to be remembered here that Pakistan consumes around 556,000 barrels of oil per day till the latest available statistics, and the demand is likely to grow with its growing population and industrial needs. To meet such dire needs, Pakistan is actively looking for energy alternatives and in this regard, Russia is a viable option to tap.
Muhammad Ali Baig – is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), Pakistan. He is a Ph.D. candidate and a distinguished graduate of National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, Pakistan