Russia and Pakistan are making a big move to improve their relationship and boost trade. They are planning to launch a new freight train that will connect the two countries directly. This exciting development was revealed by Pakistan’s Energy Minister, Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari.
The train will be part of a larger project called the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a huge transportation network that stretches 7,200 kilometers. This route will connect Russia and Central Asia to India through Iran. Pakistan’s ambassador to Moscow, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, first talked about Pakistan’s willingness to join the INSTC earlier this year during an international meeting in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.
The big news is that the first test run of the south-to-north train could happen as soon as March next year. The train will transport goods from Russia to Pakistan, passing through Iran and Azerbaijan along the way. This is just the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in trade between the two nations.
In addition to the train, there’s talk about launching direct air travel between Russia and Pakistan. Both countries are interested in making it easier for people to travel and businesses to communicate. This could be a huge step forward in strengthening ties between them.
These transport and logistics projects were discussed further during a visit by Russian officials to Islamabad in October. During this visit, Russia’s Federation Council chairwoman, Valentina Matvienko, expressed her support for new logistics corridors and welcomed Pakistan’s involvement. The ministers discussed many different ways the two countries could work together, from improving transportation to expanding trade opportunities.
Leghari pointed out that these projects will help both Pakistan and Russia in many ways. Not only will it be easier for businesses to grow and connect, but the people of both countries will have more opportunities to interact. This is especially important since the two countries have not had such close ties for some time.
As for trade, both countries have been working on improving their business relationship. Russia’s ambassador to Pakistan mentioned earlier this year that trade between the two countries is showing positive signs, although there is still a large imbalance. Pakistan is a major producer of agricultural products, and Leghari believes that Russia could benefit from buying more food from Pakistan, helping to balance trade between the two.
Additionally, Pakistan is hoping to bring Russia on board for oil and gas projects. There’s talk of Russia investing in oil exploration and refining on Pakistan’s shelf. Russian oil is already flowing into Pakistan, and both sides are working hard to make sure this supply continues smoothly and grows in the future.
In short, this new train link is just the start of what could be a major shift in the relationship between Russia and Pakistan. With plans for more transportation options and growing trade, this partnership could soon become a game-changer in the region!
