ISLAMABAD: Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said on Wednesday that Moscow will support Pakistan’s application to join BRICS, the group of leading emerging market economies.
Overchuk is on a two-day visit to Islamabad, where he met with his counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief General Asim Munir and other top officials. The discussions resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in economy and trade.
The BRICS group, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, expanded to include South Africa in 2010. This bloc serves as an informal platform for its members to counterbalance the global influence of the United States and its allies.
Countries like Pakistan view BRICS as an alternative to traditional global organizations and hope that membership will bring benefits such as development financing and increased trade. Pakistan submitted its application to join BRICS last year.
“We are pleased that Pakistan has applied [to join BRICS],” Overchuk stated during a joint press briefing with Dar. “BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are sister organizations, and we will support this endeavor.”
The two officials also discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation areas, agreeing to enhance dialogue in sectors including trade, economy, energy, connectivity, culture, and education.
Pakistan and Russia, once rivals during the Cold War, have increasingly strengthened ties in recent years through regular trade interactions. Islamabad aims to position itself as a transit hub for landlocked Central Asian economies, with an interest in developing trade connections with Russia.
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Dar highlighted the significant growth in bilateral trade, which reached an unprecedented $1 billion last year, and expressed optimism for further enhancement. He noted the upcoming Pakistan-Russia Trade and Investment Forum, scheduled for September 30 to October 1 in Moscow, as a key event for exploring mutual cooperation.
Furthermore, preparations are underway for the ninth session of the Pakistan-Russia Commission on Trade, Economy, Science, Technology, and Culture, set to take place in Russia later this year.
Overchuk emphasized Russia’s interest in expanding regional ties with Pakistan, particularly with an important Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting on the horizon in Islamabad next month, which Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is expected to attend.
Experts view Overchuk’s visit as significant, given Pakistan’s focus on strengthening economic relations with Russia amid security challenges in Afghanistan. Former Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir noted the importance of engaging with Russia on a wide range of issues, including trade and energy.
Dr. Talat Shabbir, director of the China-Pakistan Study Center, remarked that the visit is beneficial for both nations, particularly as Russia seeks to bolster regional alliances amid global pressures stemming from the Ukraine conflict.
