ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has sought Russia’s support to join the inter-governmental BRICS organization, state-run media reported on Monday, saying that Islamabad’s inclusion would help enhance its role in regional and global cooperation. 

In 2006, Brazil, Russia, India and China created the “BRIC” group before South Africa joined the alliance in 2010, making it BRICS. The bloc was founded as an informal club to provide a platform for its members to challenge a world order dominated by the United States and its Western allies.

Countries like Pakistan who want to join BRICS see it as an alternative to global bodies viewed as dominated by the traditional Western powers and hope membership will unlock benefits including development finance, and increased trade and investment. Pakistan had last year applied to become a member of BRICS. 

Zardari met Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko and members of the visiting delegation from Moscow in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Monday. Matvienko arrived in Pakistan on a three-day visit earlier this week to strengthen parliamentary ties between the two states. 

“He (Zardari) also sought Russia’s support for Pakistan’s bid to become a member of BRICS which would greatly help Pakistan to enhance its role in regional and global cooperation through the alliance,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.

“Pakistan and Russia reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties in the areas of trade, commerce, investment, agriculture and energy for the mutual benefit of the two countries.”

During a visit to Pakistan in September, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk had said Moscow would support Pakistan’s bid to join BRICS.

Zardari said Pakistan’s and Russia’s relationship was marked by mutual respect and a commitment to expand bilateral cooperation, emphasizing strengthening cultural links through people-to-people contacts and scholarship programs.

He noted that Pakistan and Russia had a lot of potential to increase economic cooperation, urging the Russian delegation to invest in the South Asian country. 

“Both sides underscored the importance of diversifying trade and economic cooperation, besides enhancing regional connectivity and commercial relations through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the North-South Transport Corridor,” the state broadcaster added.

“The president expressed gratitude to Russia for its support of Pakistan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.”

Matvienko said Russia prioritized its relationship with Pakistan, expressing confidence in enhancing bilateral cooperation through her visit, APP said. 

“She hoped that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Parliaments of the two countries would further deepen bilateral relations,” the state-run media reported. 

Pakistan and Russia, once Cold War rivals, have warmed up to each other in recent years through regular business and trade interactions. Islamabad’s ties with Russia also significantly improved in 2023 after Pakistan started purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount rate. 

The South Asian country hopes it can use its strategic geographical location to improve trade and cooperation with Russia and other states as it fights to ward off a prolonged economic crisis.

Earlier this month, President Zardari met Russian counterpart Putin on the sidelines of an international forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, where they pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties.