ASTANA, JUL 3: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Islamabad and Moscow’s relationship stood on its own, stressing the need to further boost bilateral cooperation.

“Our relations stand on our own strength, neither our relations are driven by any geopolitical contingency nor are these impacted by our relations with other countries,” the prime minister said.

The premier is currently in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana to attend the twin Summits of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State and SCO plus.

PM Shehbaz emphasised the need to overcome financial and other banking issues to expand barter trade between Pakistan and Russia.

In his exclusive meeting with the Russian president today, he said Pakistan has long business relations with Russia. He recalled that Pakistan used to import a lot of machinery and goods from erstwhile Soviet Russia and export textile and leather goods under barter.

The premier further said the two countries can certainly enhance trade, which is at the moment, touching one billion dollars, Radio Pakistan reported.

He also commended the Russian top leader for promoting cooperation in the field of energy on his request. He added Pakistan has received a shipment of oil from Russia and there is a need to further move in this direction.

As regards bilateral relations between both countries, PM Shehbaz said these ties have been on a positive trajectory over the last many years and this is a matter of great comfort for the two countries.

The prime minister, on the occasion, also expressed the desire to work closely with President Putin to further cement bilateral relations.