Russia calls Pakistan an ‘important partner’ and ‘natural ally’, is Putin playing a double game with India?

Russia has described India’s arch-enemy Pakistan as an “important partner” and “natural ally”. Its statement comes at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are at their peak after Operation Sindoor. According to an official statement issued by the Islamabad-based Foreign Office, during a meeting in Moscow on Thursday, a top Russian official described Pakistan as an “important partner” in the economic and energy development of the region and called the two countries “natural allies”. Russia-Pakistan relations are expected to increase India’s concern. However, both the countries have not yet made any official comment on this.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister calls Pakistan a friend

This comment on behalf of Russia was made by Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk during talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs (SAPM) Tariq Fatami and SAPM for Industry and Production Affairs Haroon Akhtar Khan. The Pakistani delegation is currently in Moscow and is participating in Russia’s largest annual industrial trade fair Innoprom. The trade fair is attended by government delegations, business leaders and technology firms from more than 30 countries, including representatives of manufacturing, engineering and high-tech industries.

Pakistan praised Russia

During the meeting, the Pakistani official said that relations with Russia remain a key priority of Islamabad’s foreign policy. Overchuk also recalled his visit to Pakistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit last year, where he was hosted by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. “Describing Pakistan and Russia as ‘natural allies’, he stressed that President Vladimir Putin considers Pakistan an important partner in the development of economy and energy in the region,” the Foreign Office said in a statement issued after the meeting.

Preparations to run train between Russia and Pakistan

It further said, “They also highlighted the importance of important connectivity projects between the two countries, such as the railway link between Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Russia and the launch of a pilot cargo train between Pakistan and Russia in August 2025. The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, including the situation in South Asia, Afghanistan and the Middle East. They reiterated their commitment to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums.

Russia to run Pakistan’s steel mill again

Prime Minister Sharif’s adviser on industry and production referred to the government’s investment-friendly policies and ongoing discussions to set up a new steel mill in Karachi and described it as a potential “leap forward” in Pakistan-Russia cooperation and the revival of an important legacy project. Originally built with Soviet assistance in the 1970s, Pakistan Steel Mills was a symbol of national self-reliance for decades but was closed in 2015 due to prolonged financial mismanagement, political interference and mounting losses. Now Karachi is the main hub of the two countries. Talks are underway to start a new steel mill project in the country.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister emphasizes ties with Pakistan

Welcoming this high-level visit, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said that President Putin is committed to increasing cooperation with Islamabad in all major areas. He also informed that the Russian President is looking forward to meeting the Pakistani Prime Minister during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)-Heads Council Summit to be held in Tianjin, China later this August.

Are India-Russia relations getting weaker?

Russia has repeatedly said that relations with any third country cannot be compared to India-Russia relations. Russia has given such an example especially regarding relations with China. India has also developed bilateral relations with many countries opposing Russia. But, this does not mean that it should be compared with the friendship of the two countries. In the last few years, due to geopolitical tensions, the relations between India and Russia have definitely weakened, but they are still much stronger than other countries. In such a situation, the importance of India-Russia relations between Pakistan and Pakistan is increasing. Growing ties with China are likely to have some impact.