ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia are working together to finalize President Vladimir Putin's visit to Islamabad this year, said a local newspaper on Monday while quoting diplomatic sources.
The two countries developed bitter rivalry during the Cold War, especially after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. In recent years, however, they have tried to strengthen their relationship with greater collaboration by signing an agreement that will allow Russia to build a gas pipeline between Karachi and Kasur.
"The visit of the Russian president was being discussed by the two sides for the last two years but could not materialize because of a variety of reasons including the COVID-19 pandemic," The Express Tribune said, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan was likely to meet Putin on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics in Beijing next month where he would "personally extend the invitation to President Putin."
"With the signing of the Pakistan Steam Gas Pipeline agreement, the prospects of Putin visiting Pakistan have brightened significantly," the newspaper continued. "Pakistan is keen that President Putin inaugurates the groundbreaking of the multibillion-dollar gas pipeline project, which might kick off later this year."
Pakistan's increased diplomatic engagements with Russia are said to be part of its quest to diversify its foreign policy.
Previously, Islamabad was much closer to the United States, though strategic alignments in South Asia underwent significant changes since the beginning of the US-led war in Afghanistan.
US President Joe Biden has not contacted the Pakistani prime minister since his inauguration in January 2021.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has been working closely with China.
It also hosted Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Islamabad last year in April after a gap of about nine years.
Diplomatic sources told the Pakistani newspaper Moscow wanted some "big ticket projects" or other initiatives that could be announced by the Russian president during his trip to Pakistan.
"The two countries are not just exploring options to deepen economic ties, but Russia is also keen to sell arms to Pakistan, something it avoided in the past because of India's opposition," it added.
