PM Imran to visit Russia this month

PM Imran to visit Russia this month​

Premier’s position towards West increasingly becoming defiant

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Rizwan Shehzad February 07, 2022

PHOTO: APP

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ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s position toward the West is becoming increasingly defiant as he set to visit Russia from February 23 to 25 after completing his “historic visit to China” and attending the Beijing Olympics, which the US and several other western countries had boycotted.

Diplomatic sources confirmed on Sunday evening that the premier was expected to undertake the “all crucial” visit of Moscow in the last week of February -- the first by a Pakistani premier in over two decades. Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry refrained from confirming the development, saying that the foreign affairs ministry should be approached for this purpose.

The premier’s visit to Moscow is believed to be a clear signal to the West, especially after he clearly said “absolutely not” to Washington on giving bases in Pakistan following its withdrawal from Afghanistan and not receiving a phone call from US President Joe Biden since he assumed his office in the White House.
“Prime Minister Imran’s visit under the current circumstances is crucial,” a diplomat told The Express Tribune, requesting anonymity, while referring to the rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine and ultimately between Moscow and the West.

The diplomat further said PM Imran and Russian President Vladimir Putin would exchange views on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Recently, PM Imran while speaking to President Putin had lauded his statement on the issue of blasphemy.

In a telephonic conversation with Putin on January 17, PM Imran had underscored that Pakistan’s bilateral relationship with Russia was on an upward trajectory, with an increased focus on trade and economic ties and energy cooperation. He had reiterated the government’s resolve for early realisation of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project. According to PM Imran, he and Putin had agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in different areas, increase high-level exchanges, and remain in close contact on matters relating to Afghanistan.

PM Imran had underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was pivotal for regional stability.
The official statement had attributed to the prime minister that he looked forward to President Putin’s visit to Pakistan as well as his own visit to Russia at an appropriate time. Now, the diplomatic sources have confirmed that the dates had been finalised and PM Imran and President Putin would be standing together in the last week of February if there are no last minute changes.

Following the diplomatic dispute between Russia and the West on Ukraine, Moscow has reoriented trade, seeking to replace Western imports and reducing its use of the US dollar. Putin’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was also taken as a show of unity amid Moscow’s deteriorating relations with the West.
Last month, it was reported that Islamabad and Moscow were in talks to finalise a plan for what would be a landmark visit of the Russian president to Pakistan this year.

The visit was being discussed by the two sides for the last two years but could not be materialised because of a variety of reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic. For the visit, Moscow wanted to have something “significant” ready before Putin finally undertook his trip to Pakistan.

PM Imran to visit Russia this month | The Express Tribune

Premier’s position towards West increasingly becoming defiant

tribune.com.pk

 

[Taimoor Khan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1490358841044832258

Phone call with POTUS before leaving for Moscow? Not making much sense.

Is India getting contained? By whom? Don't tell me you came to this conclusion by IK's unconfirmed visit to Russia. It's only a visit, not a creation of a grand alliance.

IK visit has nothing to do with Indian influence being reduced. This has already been done.

Look around you, you are pretty much left in the lurch regionally. If two big regional powers breathing down your neck was not bad enough, even the small neighbours have abandoned you. Your strategic space have shrunk a lot, say since the days of Manmohan Singh. This is what I was pointing to that when American led west is putting all their eggs in Indian basket for India to act as their regional pet dog, this dog has already been casterated.

I'd strongly suggest all, especially Indians, watch this Indian anchor and the guy he is quoting in this video. No, India is not getting 'isolated' but the pain in Shehkar Gupta's voice is difficult to hide.

This old f@rt try to paint a sh!t situation as the best thing ever happen to his Indian audience. Proper pseudo intellect.

 

[The Eagle]

Phone call with POTUS before leaving for Moscow? Not making much sense.

He might be pointing towards previous leadership of Pakistan.

 

[AZ1]

how much export to russia as compare to usa?

Is it worth making losing exports to usa?

Most will.be with russia Mou's sign agreement that may or not materlise after 10 years.

 

[Goritoes]

I'll wait until the visit actually happen...

 

[araz]

What's "aml-e-muzhaira" in English?

Practical demonstration.
A

 

[SQ8]

one thing for sure the body language is very good




so how much US throw at Imran Khan?..

Why throw at Imran Khan - poor man has been looking for a phone call. Imran Khan can sit back and twiddle his thumbs while key political allies & opposition , military, economic and education leadership are provided visas, green cards and other incentives to assist in the right moment.

Some fight it and the alternative assets are developed. But the fingers remain deep in the pie

 

[araz]

Why throw at Imran Khan - poor man has been looking for a phone call. Imran Khan can sit back and twiddle his thumbs while key political allies & opposition , military, economic and education leadership are provided visas, green cards and other incentives to assist in the right moment.

Some fight it and the alternative assets are developed. But the fingers remain deep in the pie

Sometimes cryptic makes so much sense. Subhanallah.
A

 

[Genghis khan1]

Putin refused to visit Pakistan so far. I would be cautious of Putin.

 

[PradoTLC]

Why throw at Imran Khan - poor man has been looking for a phone call. Imran Khan can sit back and twiddle his thumbs while key political allies & opposition , military, economic and education leadership are provided visas, green cards and other incentives to assist in the right moment.

Some fight it and the alternative assets are developed. But the fingers remain deep in the pie

yes.. he is a puppet... while nawj is super man

cheers

 

[ghazi52]

PM Imran to leave for two-day Russia visit on Wednesday​

Naveed Siddiqui
February 21, 2022

Prime Minister Imran Khan will embark on a two-day visit to Russia from February 23 on the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement on Monday.

This will be the first visit by a top Pakistani leader to Moscow after former president Asif Ali Zardari's three-day trip in 2011 on the invitation of then Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

"The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of the cabinet. The bilateral summit will be the highlight of the visit," the statement said.

The FO also highlighted that the two countries enjoyed friendly relations "marked by mutual respect, trust and convergence of views on a range of international and regional issues".

"During the summit, the two leaders will review the entire array of bilateral relations, including energy cooperation. They will also have [a] wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, including Islamophobia and [the] situation in Afghanistan," the statement added.

The premier's visit comes at a time when tensions in the region are high with the United States and European powers fearing that Russia may invade bordering Ukraine as shelling on the front line separating Kyiv's forces from Moscow-backed separatists spiked.

The bombardments have sent Ukrainians fleeing to cellars and other shelters, while some civilians have been evacuated.

In its own statement, the White House warned that it was still ready “to impose swift and severe consequences” should Russia invade.

“And currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon,” US press secretary Jen Psaki said.

The FO said that PM Imran's visit would contribute to deepening the multi-faceted Pakistan-Russia bilateral relationship and enhancement of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood had revealed that the prime minister would visit Russia in February but had not provided an exact date.

In January, PM Imran had held a telephonic conversation with Putin, during which both leaders had invited each other to visit their countries.

During the phone call, the premier also thanked the Russian leader for his "emphatic" statement against insulting Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

"He is the first Western leader to show empathy and sensitivity to Muslim sentiment for their beloved Prophet (PBUH)," the prime minister had said.

 

[FuturePAF]

Putin refused to visit Pakistan so far. I would be cautious of Putin.

He knows how that will play in India, and he doesn’t want to rock the boat with them unnecessarily. IMHO, the visit will be focused around economics. Russia needs all the export markets it can keep and hopefully add.

Speaking of exports, Russia sees a market and a corridor (to the ME and Africa) in Pakistan, and working on realizing that potential is worth exploring.

Russian influence also dominates Central Asia, so working out deals now with China, Iran, and Pakistan will strengthen Russian influence in the region. A rail corridor between Uzbekistan and Peshawar and a second corridor between Turkmenistan and Quetta can have positive implications for Karachi port and Gwadar port respectively. Russian influence with Iran can also help pacify any external support for militants in Baluchistan if it is seen in Russia’s business interest.

An oil or gas pipeline from Russia to Pakistan via Central Asia could also end up terminating in Karachi, to meet up with a Russian refinery or for further export via the port from there.

We will have to see what comes out of the meeting, but hopefully it will be focused on economics and rehabilitation of Afghanistan so it does not become a source of instability for both Russia and Pakistan.

 

[Genghis khan1]

He knows how that will play in India, and he doesn’t want to rock the boat with them unnecessarily. IMHO, the visit will be focused around economics. Russia needs all the export markets it can keep and hopefully add.

Speaking of exports, Russia sees a market and a corridor (to the ME and Africa) in Pakistan, and working on realizing that potential is worth exploring.

Russian influence also dominates Central Asia, so working out deals now with China, Iran, and Pakistan will strengthen Russian influence in the region. A rail corridor between Uzbekistan and Peshawar and a second corridor between Turkmenistan and Quetta can have positive implications for Karachi port and Gwadar port respectively. Russian influence with Iran can also help pacify any external support for militants in Baluchistan if it is seen in Russia’s business interest.

An oil or gas pipeline from Russia to Pakistan via Central Asia could also end up terminating in Karachi, to meet up with a Russian refinery or for further export via the port from there.

We will have to see what comes out of the meeting, but hopefully it will be focused on economics and rehabilitation of Afghanistan so it does not become a source of instability for both Russia and Pakistan.

Too many expectations. Russians look westward.

 

[FuturePAF]

Too many expectations. Russians look westward.

Only a few hundred key Russians run Russia. If they alienate themselves from the West (via a vi Ukraine) they will have to go looking for other export markets.

 

[AZ1]

Not much expectation other than sign MOu's

 

[Patriot forever]

Not much expectation other than sign MOu's

There are 2 major gas pipeline contracts to be signed.

This will open doors to Russian gas longterm contracts through Central Asia.

Huge developments. This will be cheaper than Qatar long term contracts.