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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister at the margins of the SCO Heads of Government meetings, with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. — X/@ForeignOfficePk
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar addressed the 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Governments (CHG) meeting in Moscow calling for stronger regional connectivity, new SCO-level financial instruments and deeper engagement with key partners, particularly Russia and China.
He also held several high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MOFA), Dar led Pakistan’s delegation to the CHG held from November 17 to 18, and joined other heads of government in a joint call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who welcomed the delegation and emphasized the need to strengthen regional economic cooperation under a platform for connectivity, stability and mutual cooperation.
In his statement at the CHG narrow format (SCO members only) session, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “Shanghai spirit” and set priorities that include enhanced cooperation in connectivity, energy, transport connectivity, logistics and infrastructure development.
He encouraged member countries to promote the use of national currencies for mutual settlements and called for the establishment of the SCO Development Bank, the SCO Development Fund and an Investment Fund.
On regional politics, he stressed the need for a comprehensive dialogue to address the full spectrum of regional issues, and reiterated that stability in Afghanistan is essential for peace and stability in the entire region.
Addressing the extended format at the CHG, the Deputy Premier reaffirmed his commitment to building economic bridges through concrete initiatives, emphasizing greater economic integration through trade, investment and digital development.
In the humanitarian domain, he offered to share Pakistan’s experience in disaster preparedness, calling for the modernization of the SCO and expansion of its global reach, including by streamlining the use of English in its work.
He proposed deeper engagement with observer and partner countries through project-based initiatives to advance common goals, leveraged the potential of the SCO Interbank Consortium to finance development projects in SCO countries, and highlighted the importance of strengthening academic linkages and transforming the SCO university network into a consortium.
A Foreign Office (FO) statement on the expanded format said the leaders considered trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian developments within the SCO, including the involvement of observer states and partners, in light of the modernization of the organization’s activities and the outcome of the SCO Summit in Tianjin.
The Moscow CHG considered and approved a dozen decisions, documents and statements, and adopted a joint dialogue outlining the strategic direction for the SCO’s future work in economic cooperation. The CHG is described as the organization’s second largest forum, which focuses on cooperation among member countries in the socio-economic, trade and financial sectors. Last year it was chaired by Pakistan and will be hosted in Islamabad in October 2024.
Pakistan, Russia focus on broad-based partnership
On Wednesday, DAR met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the CHG.
The FO said that both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed deep satisfaction over what they described as the current positive momentum of the relationship.
Dar congratulated his Russian counterpart on the successful conduct of the SCOCHG meeting and noted the leadership of both countries as well as the important role of bilateral institutional mechanisms in further strengthening cooperation.
The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on a wide range of regional and international affairs and, taking into account what they described as excellent coordination in the multilateral Four, including the United Nations (UN) and the SCO, promised to deepen this coordination in the interest of both countries.
On Tuesday, the DAR held a bilateral meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk after the conclusion of the CHG meetings.
The FO said the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Russia relations, focusing on strengthening cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, including political, trade, energy, communications, agriculture, industry, education, science and technology, information technology, people-to-people links and tourism.
Overcook recalled his visit to Islamabad in September 2024 and meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCOCHG in Islamabad in October 2024, and acknowledged that Pakistan’s potential to emerge as a regional hub for corridor trade and connectivity was recognized, and he appreciated the observed relationship with power, and that he had enhanced ties with Pakistan. Eurasian Economic Union (EEEU).
The two sides also exchanged views on key regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in bilateral and multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the SCO.
Dar confirms ‘All Weather’ partnership with China
On Wednesday, on the sidelines of the SCO Heads of Government Meetings, Dar met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mashton and Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss enhancing cooperation among SCO member states.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dar met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the SCOCHG meeting.
According to the FO, the two leaders reaffirmed the “all-weather” Pakistan-China strategic partnership, especially within the SCO, reviewed bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and praised the principles of the Shanghai Spirit guiding regional cooperation.
They also exchanged views on global affairs and agreed to maintain real-time engagement going forward.
Dar began diplomacy with regional leaders
During his stay in Moscow, Dar continued to hold meetings with other leaders on the sidelines of the CHG on Wednesday.
He held informal talks with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thana to exchange views on bilateral relations and priorities for regional cooperation.
In separate meetings, the Deputy Premier met with Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, Adelbek Kasmeliev, who congratulated him on assuming the SCO Head of State Chair and exchanged views on the SCO Initiative and Kyrgyzstan’s rotating presidency.
He met Uzbek Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov, appreciating what the FO described as positive momentum in Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations and underlining the importance of high-level interaction and cooperation in multilateral fora, including the SCO.
Dar also met Tajik Prime Minister Kokhar Rasulzoda, and congratulated him on assuming the chair of the next Council of Heads of Government meeting.
He affirmed Pakistan’s determination to further strengthen Tajik relations in diverse regions as well as deepening cooperation in multilateral platforms.
