Western countries, especially the United States, are keenly watching as Pakistan and Belarus on Tuesday drew close and pledged to become long-term partners in the days ahead.
Belarus Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan, which is being seen as a 'routine' visit by Islamabad, but an 'exceptional' one by the West.
The visit is important for the West because Belarus is a key ally of Moscow and perhaps the only country openly supporting the country in its war on Ukraine.
The US is naturally unhappy with Belarus for its tilt towards Russia, and is already annoyed as Islamabad moves closer to Moscow. It sees the partnership as linked with the new bloc led by Russia and China.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Sergei Aleinik is on a visit here on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto.
During the meeting, the two foreign ministers had a wide-ranging and substantive discussion on a variety of topics including political, economic, technological, cultural, educational and multilateral cooperation in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding.
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The two sides agreed to take practical measures to translate the mutual goodwill between the two states and their people, into tangible cooperation in different fields.
The ministers expressed their intent to support business initiatives aimed at development of trade and industrial cooperation between the two countries, among other things, through the participation in exhibitions and fair events, holding face-to-face and online negotiations, and business councils.
FM Aleinik expressed his gratitude for the reception given to his delegation and invited FM Bilawal to a visit of the republic. The invitation was accepted, with the dates to be finalised via diplomatic channels.
Earlier, he called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir, in addition to holding comprehensive delegation-level bilateral talks.
He also held a meeting with Minister of Economic Affairs, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.