ISSI Webinar Highlights New Opportunities for Pakistan–Russia Strategic Cooperation
Islamabad – 9 June 2026 (Adnan Hameed) : The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the University of World Civilizations, Moscow, organized a high-level webinar titled “Pakistan–Russia Bilateral Relations at the Cusp of a Shifting Global Order,” on. The webinar brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, scholars, media professionals, and strategic experts from Pakistan and Russia to examine the evolving trajectory of bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.
Delivering the inaugural remarks, Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director, Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP), ISSI, highlighted the significance of Pakistan–Russia engagement amid rapidly changing regional and global dynamics. She emphasized that the objective of the webinar was not only to deepen strategic understanding between the two countries but also to strengthen public diplomacy, academic exchanges, media cooperation, and people-to-people contacts.
The Chief Guest of the event, Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, described Pakistan–Russia relations as a steadily strengthening partnership that has made significant progress over the past two decades. He noted that this progress has taken place against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global landscape characterized by shifting power dynamics, technological advancements, geopolitical competition, and the emergence of new economic centres, says press note. He highlighted the expansion of bilateral cooperation across energy, trade, industry, defence, education, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges, supported by increasing high-level engagements and the work of the Pakistan–Russia Intergovernmental Commission. The Minister also emphasized growing coordination between the two countries through the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, welcomed discussions on Pakistan’s participation in the International North-South Transport Corridor and its possible connection to Gwadar Port, and noted the importance of the Programme of Economic Cooperation between Pakistan and Russia up to 2030. He concluded that both countries are well placed to promote regional stability, economic integration, and a more balanced international order.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, described the current period as a defining moment in international politics. He underscored the growing importance of Moscow in shaping emerging geopolitical and economic trends and highlighted the increasing diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Russia. He expressed confidence that connectivity projects, economic cooperation, and political coordination would continue to strengthen bilateral relations and contribute to a more inclusive and balanced regional order.
During the first working session, Pakistani and Russian experts, diplomats, academics, and media practitioners shared insights on the evolving international order and the future of Pakistan–Russia relations. Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, noted that bilateral relations are at their strongest point in history, driven by growing convergence on regional and global issues and expanding cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity, security, and counterterrorism. He added that current global transformations present an opportunity to deepen mutually beneficial engagement and promote regional peace and stability.
Ambassador Masood Khan, Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, placed the discussion in the context of Eurasian geopolitics and an emerging multipolar world, highlighting the potential of Pakistan and Russia to advance connectivity, energy security, trade integration, and counterterrorism cooperation. He called for stronger economic engagement and broader regional connectivity involving Pakistan, Russia, China, and Central Asian states.
From Moscow’s perspective, Dr. Natalia Zamaraeva emphasized growing momentum in bilateral relations, stressing economic connectivity, transport corridors, energy cooperation, educational exchanges, and regional integration, noting Pakistan’s strategic role in Eurasian trade. Dr. Roxolana Zigon described the relationship as entering a new phase of strategic trust, underscoring the importance of sustained dialogue, academic collaboration, people-to-people exchanges, and institutional partnerships.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem highlighted the implications of global geopolitical shifts for sovereignty, security, and governance, noting the increasing role of middle powers like Pakistan in fostering dialogue, mediation, and consensus-building in a multipolar world.
The second session of the webinar focused on strengthening societal and informational linkages between Pakistan and Russia, emphasizing the need to complement official diplomacy with deeper people-to-people and media engagement. Russian media expert Dimitri Alexander Simes highlighted the untapped potential of media cooperation, calling for expanded journalistic exchanges and stronger institutional collaboration to improve mutual understanding and bilateral narratives. Senior Pakistani journalist, Syed Talat Hussain stressed the importance of cultural diplomacy, noting that long-term relations depend on strong people-to-people connections. He called for enhanced cooperation in education, tourism, cultural exchanges, and media partnerships to strengthen societal ties. Russian analyst Leonid Savin supported this view, urging broader engagement through universities, academic institutions, cultural organizations, and professional networks as essential to realizing the full potential of Pakistan–Russia relations. Concluding the session, Ms. Tanya Juliet Francis, News Anchor at Asia One, highlighted a shared recognition of global transformation and emphasized that stronger communication, public diplomacy, cultural interaction, and media cooperation are key to sustaining the positive trajectory of bilateral relations.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, BoG, ISSI, concluded the event with by giving his views on emerging geopolitical trends, regional connectivity initiatives, energy cooperation, media engagement, and prospects for further strengthening Pakistan–Russia relations. He reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to sustaining dialogue and expanding cooperation across multiple domains.
