ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia are in talks to finalise the plan for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first go to to the nation this yr, based on a media report.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has already prolonged a proper invitation to President Putin.
He reiterated the invitation to Putin throughout his latest telephonic dialog with the Russian president.
The 2 leaders are additionally anticipated to fulfill in Beijing subsequent month on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
The go to of the Russian president was being mentioned by the 2 sides for the final two years however couldn’t materialise due to a wide range of causes together with the Covid-19 pandemic, officers conversant in the event advised The Categorical Tribune on Sunday.
The seemingly go to of President Putin would be the fruits of years of efforts by two sides to open a brand new chapter of their ties that have been marred by the Chilly Battle rivalry.
Moscow additionally desires that there have to be ‘huge ticket tasks’ or different initiatives that the Russian president would announce when he lastly undertakes the journey to Pakistan, the report mentioned.
Nevertheless, diplomatic sources mentioned Putin wished to undertake the go to when he had ‘one thing huge to promote’.
With the signing of the Pakistan Steam Fuel Pipeline settlement, the prospects of Putin visiting Pakistan have brightened considerably.
Pakistan is eager that President Putin inaugurates the groundbreaking of the multibillion-dollar fuel pipeline venture, which could kick off later this yr.
Pakistan desires Russian firms to put the pipeline from Karachi in Sindh province to Kasur in Punjab province.
The North-South Fuel Pipeline, which has now been renamed as Pakistan Steam Fuel Pipeline, is a flagship venture that the 2 nations intend to undertake ever since they determined to bury their Chilly Battle rivalry and enter into a brand new period of bilateral ties.
The settlement was initially signed in 2015 however due to doable US sanctions on the Russian firms and different points, the work on the 1,122km-long pipeline couldn’t be began.
Nevertheless, the 2 sides lastly crossed these obstacles and signed an amended settlement that may now give 74% stakes within the pipeline to Pakistan.
Earlier, the pipeline was to be constructed fully by Russia underneath the constructed, function and switch mannequin.
The venture will price round USD 2.25 billion.
As soon as full, the pipeline will assist tackle the scarcity of fuel in Punjab.
The LNG that Pakistan now imports might be re-gasified by way of this proposed pipeline.
Officers conversant in the event mentioned the venture not solely had financial however strategic significance for Pakistan.
They mentioned Pakistan wished to broaden ties with Russia as a part of its efforts to diversify its international coverage choices.
In April final yr, Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Islamabad after a spot of virtually 9 years.
Through the go to, he conveyed a message to Pakistani management on behalf of President Putin that Moscow was keen to increase all doable assist to Islamabad.
The 2 nations will not be simply exploring choices to deepen financial ties, however Russia can also be eager to promote arms to Pakistan, one thing it prevented up to now due to India’s opposition.
The 2 nations have already been holding common joint army workouts since 2016 in one other signal of deepening ties between Moscow and Islamabad.
Moreover, the 2 nations additionally share the identical view on key regional and worldwide points together with Afghanistan, based on the Categorical Tribune.
