Imran to Meet Russia China President

Imran to Meet Russia China President

 Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet here formally today (Friday). The two leaders are in Bishkek attending the 19th Meeting of the Council of the Heads of State (CHS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Yesterday, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an informal discussionduring a dinner Kyrgyzstan president in honour of heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

During the dinner hosted by Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, the Pakistan premier and President Putin shook hands and inquired about the well-being of each other, according to sources.

In an interview to Russian news agency Sputnik, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his government has been mulling purchase of arms from Moscow, given the fact that the Cold War was long over.

Asked about military cooperation between Pakistan and Russia and joint drills later this year, he said they had developed cooperation with Russia, between their defence forces, and hoped to deepen their contacts.

"Most of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s were spent in the Cold War region, where India was close to the Soviet Union, and Pakistan was close to the United States. We were in different camps. Now things have changed," the Pakistan premier said.

"India is also friendly with the United States, and Pakistan is also friendly with the US. So we no longer have the Cold War situation. It is refreshing that we have developed our contacts with Russia, and they are developing all the time."

Responding to a question about the import of Russian weapons, he said, "As I’ve said, once the Cold War was over. Previously Pakistan was tied to the US, and, as we all know, India was tied to the Soviet Union. And no longer is that situation there. First, we hope that our tension with India decreases, so we do not have to buy arms because we want to spend money on human development".

"But, yes, we are looking for arms from Russia, and I know our military is already in touch with the Russian military," Khan commented.

Regarding the prospects of Pak-Russia cooperation within the SCO, he said they look forward to have exchanges, develop more contacts and improve their trade.

"Russia is an energy-surplus country. Pakistan has shortages in energy, so we hope to talk on those areas. We already are. Apart from defence, we want to also improve our trade in other areas with Russia," the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Bishkek on Friday.

PM Imran and Chinese President Xi held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. 

On Twitter, Foreign Office spokesman Dr Fisal said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening Pakistan China All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated his government's resolve to ensure early completion of CPEC projects. 

President Xi expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s measures against terrorism and acknowledged efforts for regional peace and stability.

Both sides decided to enhance the depth and breadth of cooperation at all levels to build Pakistan China Community of Shared Destiny in the New Era.

On Thursday, the prime minister met Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Sharipovich Jeenbekov and agreed to strengthen land and air connectivity between the two countries.

The two leaders also reviewed bilateral relations and agreed to comprehensively upgrade mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

PM Imran and President Jeenbekov also agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts and boost tourism cooperation through friendly visa regimes. They also agreed to the Joint Ministerial Commission and Bilateral Political Consultations soon.

Earlier upon arrival in Bishkek for the Council of the Heads of State meeting, PM Imran was received by Kyrgyzstan PM Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev and Health Minister Health Kosmosbek Sarievich Cholponbaev.

Later in the day, the prime minister met Russian President Vladimir Putin during a dinner hosted by Kyrgyzstan president in honour of heads of SCO.

During the dinner, the Pakistan premier and President Putin shook hands and inquired well-being of each other.

The leaders of SCO member and observer states, as well as representatives of important international organisations, are attending the meeting.

Since becoming a member of SCO in 2017, Pakistan has been actively participating at all levels in various SCO mechanisms including foreign affairs, defence, national security, economy and trade, science and technology and innovation, youth and women empowerment, tourism and media.

Besides Pakistan, SCO’s membership comprises China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. SCO observers include Afghanistan, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia.

The Council of Heads of State is the highest forum of SCO which considers and defines strategy, prospects and priorities of the organisation.