Amidst international brinkmanship, Imran Khan will be accompanied to Russia by a high level delegation on a two-day visit aiming to "contribute to further deepening of the multifaceted Pakistan-Russia bilateral relationship and enhancement of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.”
During the trip, which was planned before the current crisis on the Russian-Ukrainian border, the leaders are slated to review "the entire array of bilateral relations including energy cooperation,” including the $2.5 billion Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP) presently under deliberation.
Pakistan and Russia’s diplomatic ties have been steadily strengthening since 2014, when both countries signed a defence cooperation agreement, holding joint military exercises, as well as cooperating on intelligence and the defence industry since then.
In 2021, the countries formally signed an agreement for the PSGP, a 1,100-km-long gas pipeline that will be able to transport 16 billion cubic metres of liquid natural gas (LNG) from Gwadar, Karachi, Kasur, and Lahore. Analysists say Russia has a strategic aim to develop Pakistan’s gas infrastructure to increase the demand for gas in the country, which Russia hopes will divert LNG supply from Europe, leaving a vacuum for Russia to become the main LNG supplier for Europe. The project is expected to be completed in 2025, however several issues remain unresolved, it emerged during talks between both countries earlier this month. The lingering uncertainties, including questions over sovereign guarantees and penalty mechanisms, may dash the prime minister’s hopes to sign the final agreement with President Putin in Moscow during his upcoming visit.
Earlier this month, Russia and China, a major Pakistani ally, signed an agreement pledging 'mutual support' between the two countries.