ISLAMABAD/BEIJING — August 28, 2025: Sources have confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China (August 31–September 1). The high-level meeting is being viewed as one of the most significant engagements of the Prime Minister’s visit.
#Scheduled :#Pakistan Premier @CMShehbaz set to have a meeting with the #Russian President Putin on the sidelines of #SCO Summit in #China early next week .
Shehbaz Sharif @PakPMO to have separate meetings with Presidebt Xi Jinpinh, @azpresident Elham Aliyov, others! pic.twitter.com/M400GITbZH— Shaukat Piracha (@ShaukatPiracha1) August 27, 2025
Bilateral talks to focus on Pakistan-Russia energy cooperation, trade expansion, and regional security as Islamabad pushes for a balanced foreign policy amid shifting global dynamics
Key Details of the Scheduled Meeting
- Diplomatic Arrangement: The meeting was finalized through official diplomatic channels, highlighting the priority both Islamabad and Moscow are attaching to this dialogue.
- Agenda of Talks:
- Bilateral Relations: Discussions will focus on strengthening Pakistan-Russia ties across multiple sectors.
- Energy and Trade: With Pakistan facing an energy crisis, securing reliable and affordable energy supplies from Russia will be central to talks. Trade expansion will also be on the agenda.
- Regional Security: Both sides are expected to consult on counter-terrorism and stability in Afghanistan, where both countries share long-term concerns.
- Global Coordination: Leaders will also exchange views on global developments and the shifting international order.
Why This Matters for Pakistan
- Balanced Foreign Policy: The meeting signals Pakistan’s ongoing effort to diversify foreign relations, reducing reliance on the West and strengthening ties with Eurasian powers.
- Energy Security: With Russia emerging as a potential long-term energy partner, this dialogue could accelerate agreements for oil, gas, and LNG supplies.
- Diplomatic Influence: Direct engagement with a global power like Russia reinforces Pakistan’s role in the multipolar world order and within the SCO framework.
- Continuity of Dialogue: This is not the first Sharif-Putin interaction — past SCO sidelines meetings have already laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in energy, trade, and defense.
Broader Diplomatic Engagements
In addition to President Putin, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, among other key leaders. The packed schedule underscores Pakistan’s active diplomacy at this year’s SCO summit, ensuring the country’s interests remain firmly on the regional and global agenda.
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