Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday where the two discussed bilateral relations and issues of regional and global importance including the Afghan peace process.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan government, Khan reiterated the importance Pakistan attaches to its relations with Russia as a key foreign policy priority.

He expressed satisfaction at the steady growth in bilateral ties, including deepening cooperation in trade, energy, security and defence, the statement read.

Khan stressed the importance of a negotiated political settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan and noted that Pakistan appreciated Russia’s efforts in promoting the Afghan peace process including through the hosting of the recent meeting of Extended Troika in Moscow.

Other issues discussed included the “Pakistan Stream” (North-South) Gas Pipeline project; enhanced bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, industrial modernization, railways and aviation and it was agreed that the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC), due to meet in Moscow later this year, would closely pursue specific proposals and projects in this context.

Views were exchanged on the health and economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.