Shehbaz Sharif’s Bold Proposal: Strengthening Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Ties

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif participated in notable diplomatic events meeting Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Expanding bilateral connections, particularly in terms of economic cooperation, was the main goal with these three countries.

Respecting Relations with Russia

On the periphery of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council Heads of State and SCO Plus summits, PM Shehbaz met President Putin in Astana, Kazakhstan. They talked about how to improve bilateral cooperation in several spheres of mutual interest including commerce, energy, and agriculture. Emphasizing the possibility to solve financial and banking problems by reviving and extending commerce under a barter system, President Putin stated a want to encourage cooperation in food security. PM Shehbaz expressed hope in overcoming present obstacles to improve their relations by stressing the historical background of such commercial activities between Pakistan and Russia. He underlined that diplomatic ties between the two countries remain strong and unaffected by geopolitical conditions or ties to other countries.

Improving Tajikistan’s economic cooperation

Emphasizing the need of building road and rail connections between the two nations, PM Shehbaz met with PM Qohir Rasulzoda during his visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Aiming to strengthen bilateral relations, he asked Tajikistan to use Karachi Port for transit commerce. Considered as a historic event, the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement opened fresh paths for mutually beneficial economic collaboration. Both leaders underlined their dedication to the early completion of the CASA-1000 power project and committed themselves to investigating the prospect of granting preferential market access by means of negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). They also indicated preparedness to call the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation’s 7th Session in Islamabad.

Developing Relations with Uzbekistan

PM Shehbaz and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed hope in improving bilateral commercial and economic relations in Astana by operationalizing the preferential trade agreement and the Pakistan-Uzbekistan transit trade deal. They talked on the situation in Afghanistan and the connection Karachi Port has to Termez to increase trade. Leaders underlined the need of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan for regional development and prosperity.

Suggesting Tripartite Models

PM Shehbaz suggested creating tripartite institutional mechanisms, especially in economic and investment sectors, to deepen cooperation among Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan at the first session of the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit, held on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Emphasizing mutual respect and solidarity on fundamental problems, he underlined the strong cultural, historical, and religious linkages grounding the familial ties between these countries.

Xi-Putin Meeting: The Function of the SCO

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, leaders of Russia and China, praised their efforts to confirm their anti-Western alliance during the SCO summit in Astana. Key pillar of a fair multipolar world order, they underlined the SCO’s contribution in promoting their foreign policy agendas and developing the organization. Emphasizing the close links between Russia and China, President Putin said their partnership is going through the best phase in history. To show their dedication to strengthening economic cooperation, both leaders encouraged their national businesses to agree on terms for the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipe.

Reinforcing the significance of the SCO summit in promoting regional cooperation and dialogue, President Putin also had bilateral meetings with other leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, PM Shehbaz, and the presidents of Azerbaijan and Mongolia, Ilham Aliyev and Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. Represented by Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India took part in the summit in line with the SCO’s multifarious character as a counterpoint to Western dominance.