• Source:JND
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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday (September 2) sought closer relations with Russia, telling President Vladimir Putin that Islamabad respects Moscow’s ties with New Delhi and wishes to develop “India-like” relations of its own. Sharif made the remarks during a one-on-one meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Beijing.

“I would like to thank you for supporting Pakistan and trying to have a balancing act in the region. I must say that we respect your relationship with India, and it’s perfectly fine. We also want to build very strong relations … and these relations will be supplementary and complementary for the progress and prosperity of the region,” Sharif said.

The Pakistani leader praised Putin as “a very dynamic leader,” expressing Islamabad’s readiness to work closely with Moscow. He emphasised that stronger bilateral cooperation could enhance regional stability and economic growth.

Viral Moment Before Meeting

Before the formal interaction, Sharif drew attention at the summit when he was seen hurrying after Putin, attempting to catch his attention and shake hands as the Russian president walked alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping following the leaders’ group photograph. The video quickly went viral online, sparking commentary about Sharif’s eagerness to court Moscow.

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India-Russia Relations In Focus

Sharif’s remarks acknowledged Russia’s historically strong ties with India. New Delhi and Moscow have maintained a close partnership in defence, energy, and trade, with India acquiring advanced Russian-made equipment, including the S-400 missile defence system. The system reportedly played a crucial role in helping India neutralise missiles and drones launched from Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

While India has balanced relations with both Russia and Western nations, Pakistan has traditionally leaned toward China. Sharif’s outreach to Putin marks a notable attempt to diversify Islamabad’s foreign policy at a time when global alignments are shifting.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held talks with President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit. In a display of camaraderie, Modi revealed that the two leaders travelled together in the same car to the venue of their bilateral meeting. “Conversations with him are always insightful,” Modi posted on X, highlighting the warmth of the India-Russia partnership.

Modi’s Warning On Terrorism

During his address at the 25th SCO Heads of State Council Summit, Modi underlined the threat of terrorism to global peace. Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, he said India has suffered from terrorism for over four decades and warned against “double standards” in tackling the menace. Modi expressed gratitude to SCO member states that have supported India in its fight against terrorism.

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Sharif’s overture to Putin, juxtaposed with Modi’s reaffirmed partnership with Russia, underscores the shifting dynamics in Eurasian geopolitics as leaders navigate an increasingly multipolar world.