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Power Shift: Russia & Pakistan Bolster Ties at Beijing Forum

12:05, 18 October 2023
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Aneela Rashid
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The presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar in Beijing this week could hold great promise for the two nations' growing bilateral ties.
Sputnik
Some 130 leaders from Africa, South America and Asia have gathered in China for a forum organised by the Chinese government to mark the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Beijing forum, scheduled for October 17-18, is set to commemorate the spirit of global collaboration within the framework of the BRI, a worldwide initiative introduced by China ten years ago.
Under the BRI initiative, Chinese companies have built infrastructure around the world in a bid to boost trade and economic growth. This included ports, roads and power plants.
Amid such international cooperation, Russia and Pakistan have recently strengthened bilateral ties and initiated multiple trade deals, specifically in the energy sector. Moreover, owing to their strong relations with China, both countries are set to engage in talks during the forum, bringing together the leaders of Russia and Pakistan.

"It is exciting to have the top leaders of Russia, Pakistan and China together in one place. To me, it sounds like an acceleration of the important economic exchanges that will take place during these two days. It may lead to future official visits to their respective countries, paving the way for stronger bilateral ties," former Pakistani Defense Attache to the UAE, Khalid Mahmood, told Sputnik India in a commentary.

Growing Ties in Multipolar World

On Wednesday, the main event of the forum will take place in the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. Following the grand ceremony, the Russian president is set to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart. After, Vladimir Putin will hold a series of bilateral meetings with other leaders on the sidelines of the forum.
According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Putin and Xi will discuss the countries' connections "in their entirety."
Earlier this week in an ahead-of-the-forum interview with Chinese state broadcaster CGTN President Putin stated that a "multipolar world is taking shape, and the concepts and initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping are highly relevant and significant".
The last time Putin and Xi met was in Russia in March.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony for heads of delegations participating in the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.
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Beijing Forum Helps Booster Cooperation

Sharing Vladimir Putin's sentiment regarding Xi Jinping's efforts for a multipolar world, Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar also emphasised his country's friendship and strong ties with China.

Addressing a conference in Beijing on Tuesday, the prime minister said: "This special relationship enjoys a broad national consensus in Pakistan. There should be no doubt that Pakistan would not undermine the unique affection it has for China," the minister said.

Moreover, he expressed Pakistan’s interest to learn from China’s model for building industrial parks and special economic zones.
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), also referred to as the shining star of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a project that holds great significance for Pakistan. Kakar emphasized that CPEC has the potential to bring about a transformative change, driving the nation towards sustainable development and furthering the national agenda.

"The geo-economic landscape of the country from Gilgit-Baltistan to the deep sea ports of Karachi and Gwadar has been transformed in the last few years because of CPEC," the minister said.

He further added that CPEC is already proving to be a catalyst for job creation, poverty alleviation, and rural revitalisation across the country, giving strength to the vulnerable and underprivileged as well as reaching marginalised groups.

"I myself come from Balochistan, an underdeveloped province of Pakistan, and I generally believe that CPEC is a beacon of development, progress and prosperity for the people of my province," the prime minister said in his speech.

A Russian oil cargo carrying discounted crude, is anchored at a port in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
© AP Photo / Fareed Khan

Long-Term Cooperation With Russia

Pakistan is determined to achieve development and progress by implementing a comprehensive strategy to expand its energy sources and decrease its reliance on the US dollar.

Speaking to Sputnik India, former Engro Corporation unit manager and analyst Dr Shahid Rashid said, "This drive to diversify energy sources is driven by several key factors, such as Pakistan's economy is highly dependent on imported oil and gas and any disruption in supply can have severe consequences, hence diversification of sources minimises this vulnerability."

With this in mind, Pakistan is looking for long-term cooperation with Russia in the energy sector.

In an interview with Sputnik India, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, "Pakistan is in touch with Russia in the energy sector and Islamabad has received its first oil supplies from Russia and looks forward to long-term cooperation, especially in the energy sector.

Pakistan's Energy Minister, Muhammad Ali, announced during the recent 'Russian Energy Week' in Moscow that his nation envisions Russia becoming a prominent supplier of oil, constituting 10% of Pakistan's near future requirements and an impressive 30% in the coming years.
It is important to mention that oil supplies are not the sole concern, as the Pakistani delegation also expressed their interest in exploring the potential of purchasing LNG from Russia. Therefore, the strengthening of Pakistan's alliance with Russia has the potential to facilitate greater cooperation in areas beyond energy, such as defense and diplomacy.
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ExplainersPakistanSouth AsiaRussiaChinaRussian Energy Weekenergy securitymultilateral diplomacyBeijingXi JinpingVladimir PutinAnwaar ul Haq Kakargas exportsChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)Beijing Forumoil exportersoil and gas reservesoil suppliesRussian oilmultipolar worlddedollarisation
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