ISLAMABAD: Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk announced Moscow’s support for Pakistan’s bid to join BRICS, a bloc of leading emerging economies, during his two-day visit to Islamabad. Overchuk’s visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation, aimed to enhance economic and trade ties between the two nations.
During talks with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bolster bilateral cooperation. Overchuk expressed enthusiasm for Pakistan’s BRICS application and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to fostering closer ties through organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The BRICS bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was initially formed to challenge the global order dominated by Western powers. Pakistan, which applied for BRICS membership last year, sees the group as a potential source of development finance and increased trade opportunities.
In their discussions, Dar and Overchuk reviewed key areas of cooperation, including trade, energy, connectivity, and education. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Russia reached a record $1 billion last year, and both countries are working to expand collaboration through upcoming forums and initiatives.
Foreign policy experts described Overchuk’s visit as significant, especially given the growing economic ties and the regional security challenges faced by both nations, particularly in Afghanistan. Dr. Talat Shabbir of the China-Pakistan Study Center noted that Russia seeks to build stronger regional alliances amid global pressures from the Ukraine war, making the visit mutually beneficial.
