Chairman Senate Defense Committee Senator Mushahid Hussain has expressed hope that Pakistan can join BRICS with Russian cooperation.
The senator expressed his desire during his visit to Russia on the invitation of the ruling United Russia party, during which he met Former President Dmitri Medvedev (who’s number two to President Putin) and Foreign Minister Lavrov, said a statement.
He maintained that in the future, four Muslim middle-powers – Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia & Turkey – would play a decisive role in regional affairs and appreciated President Putin’s stance on Islamophobia.
He also attended the newly-formed International Forum for ‘Freedom of Nations’ where he was elected as a Member of the Forum’s 20-member Standing Committee.
“The Forum was organised by the United Russia party. Senator Hussain Co-Chaired the Forum’s plenary session where Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke and Senator Hussain had a comprehensive exchange with former President Dmitri Medvedev.
“Senator Hussain and Dmitri Medvedev discussed Pakistan-Russia relations, the situation in Afghanistan, the war in Gaza and the ‘unlimited possibilities for Pakistan-Russian collaboration in the region, particularly on energy & economic connectivity’, adding ‘Pakistan core interests are linked to this region, where Russia is a key factor’”.
During his visit, the senator welcomed growing relations between Pakistan and Russia, especially in the fields of energy, connectivity, education, regional security including Afghanistan and cooperation at multilateral fora including SCO and UN.
“Giving his impressions of his visit to Russia, Senator Mushahid Hussain met three fundamental points: a) both countries have ‘Strategic Space’ after ending of foreign intervention in Afghanistan, to build relations anew in various fields; b) Pakistan needs ‘Regional Reset’ in its foreign relations to take substantial initiatives for regional connectivity with Russia and other neighbouring countries; c) China is a common factor of unity & connectivity for Pakistan and Russia given both countries have close strategic ties with Beijing,” added the statement.
Senator Mushahid was also invited to be part of the International Observers who will visit to observe the presidential elections of Russian in March.
