The Soviet Union (predecessor of the Russian Federation) and Pakistan first established the diplomatic and bilateral relations on 1 May 1948. Throughout the Cold War, the Soviet Union's relations with Pakistan saw ups and downs.

Pakistan-Russia Relations

Pakistan and Russia (former Soviet Union) established diplomatic relations on 1 May 1948. Both the countries enjoy close, friendly and cooperative relations and bilateral relations are marked by mutual respect, trust and convergence of views on most international and regional issues. Pakistan aims to forge long-term multi-dimensional strategic partnership with the Russian Federation in the fields of trade, energy, culture, defence, security and people-to-people contacts.

2. Bilateral cooperation between the two countries dates back to the Soviet times. Karachi Steel Mills, major thermal power facilities at Muzaffargarh, Multan-II and Guddu were built by Soviet Union. Besides Soviet Union also helped Pakistan in the establishment of Oil and Gas Development Corporation Ltd. (OGDCL) and in the development of agriculture sector of Pakistan.

3. Both countries have similar stakes in durable peace and stability in their common neighbourhood and harbor shared aspirations for regional development and prosperity.

High Level Interaction:

4. The upward trajectory of bilateral relations is being maintained through sustained high-level interactions and strong institutional mechanisms. Pakistan’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as a full member, has infused a new energy to our ties with the Russian Federation. Pakistan highly values the support extended by the Russian Federation during its membership process.

5. Prime Minister Imran Khan met with the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitri Medvedev on the sidelines of the ‘China International Import Expo’ on 5 November 2018. Besides, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held bilateral meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov twice in 2018. The first meeting was held in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s 73rd Session in September 2018. FM Qureshi also held talks with Russian Foreign Minister on 26 December 2018 in Moscow.

6. 2017 was particularly important year from political point of view for both countries as significant meetings took place including bilateral meetings between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the President of the Russian Federation in Astana on 9 June 2017 and Prime Ministers of both countries in Sochi on 30 November 2017. Both the meetings were held on the sidelines of high-level SCO meeting. Besides, there have been eight (08) visits from Pakistan at the ministerial levels including Ministers from Foreign Affairs, Defence, Water & Power, Science and Technology, Industries and Production, Defence Production, Commerce and Textile and National Health Services in 2017.

Parliamentary Level Exchanges:

7. Bilateral exchanges at Parliamentary level have also expanded in recent times. Acting Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwalla led a five-member delegation to the «International Conference on the Role of Parliaments in the Modern World: Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation — 25 Years on the Path of Multidimensional Parliamentary Cooperation». The conference was held on 10 December 2018 in Moscow. Senator Mushaid Hussain visited Russia in October 2018 to attend the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

8. Besides, former Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq visited Russia in December 2017 to participate in the conference called «Parliamentarians Against Drugs». Besides, former Chairman Senate of Pakistan led a 16-memberdelegation to the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in October 2017 in Saint Petersburg.

9. From the Russian side Chairman State Duma (lower house of Russian Parliament) Vyacheslav Volodin paid first ever visit to Pakistan in December 2017 to participate in the six country «Regional Conference on Challenge of Terrorism and Inter Regional Connectivity». The Chairman of the Russian ‘State Duma Committee on International Affairs’ Mr. Leonid Slutsky visited Pakistan in November 2017, during his visit he called on the Speaker National Assembly and met with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

Trade Cooperation:

10. Bilateral trade between two countries is increasing steadily. Pakistan’s major exports to Russian market include, cotton, textiles, leather, synthetic fabrics, rice, fruits, surgical and sports goods. Our major imports include fertilizers, chemical elements and compounds, rubber, tyres and tubes, paper and paper board, iron and steel (raw and manufactured products) and machinery,

11. Pakistan-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation is an important institutional mechanism to review whole spectrum of bilateral cooperation and chart down roadmap for future developments. The Inaugural Session of the IGC was held in Moscow on 21 September 2010. The Fifth Session of the IGC was held in Moscow from 28 to 30 November 2017

Trade Wing

12. Trade Wing of the Embassy is entrusted with the task of increasing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Russia. It stays in regular contact with the relevant Ministries and Departments of the Russian Federation, as well as of Pakistan to address the issues hindering the growth of bilateral trade.

13. It is heartening to observe that bilateral trade between both the countries is on an upward trajectory. Businessmen, importers, exporters and investors of both the countries interested in establishing business relations with their counterparts are encouraged to contact Trade Wing for any kind of information or query. Trade Wing carries out a wide range of activities for promotion of bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. The main functions of the Trade wing are as follows:

i. Sectorial analysis of the Russian economy;
ii. Maintenance of dialogue with relevant Russian authorities;
iii. Facilitating businessmen during their visits to Russia and vice versa;
iv. Organizing events, exhibitions, promoting Pakistani products;
v. Conducting and coordinating the visit of Russian companies for participation in exhibitions being organized in Pakistan;
vi. Assistance in business matchmaking and establishment of business contacts between respective
counterparts;
vii. Information sharing regarding business activities, tax regulations, investment opportunities in both countries;
viii. Identification of trade barriers and working out proposals for their elimination;
ix. Facilitating the introduction of Pakistani companies in Russian market and vice-versa.