The exchange took place on 2 September amid the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin and ahead of a grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of China’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression. Leaders including Putin, Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping headed to the event, underscoring the geopolitical significance of the gathering.
Statecraft and regional optics were in sharp focus. Xi Jinping used the platform to press Pakistan to bolster security for Chinese workers on Belt and Road Initiative projects, citing past militant attacks despite Islamabad’s deployment of forces to protect Chinese nationals. Meanwhile, China suggested establishing an SCO development bank and other economic initiatives, signalling a shift towards deeper institutional integration within the bloc.
Pakistan’s diplomatic nuance was met with mixed reactions across the region. A social media video captured Modi and Putin walking together, apparently bypassing Sharif, prompting online chatter about Pakistan’s diminishing presence at the summit. The optics added tension to the narrative of diplomatic balance.
Analysts suggest that Islamabad’s messaging reflects a pragmatic recalibration amid evolving power alignments in Asia. Russia’s relations with India remain robust, shaped by strategic, defence, and energy interests. Pakistan’s overtures appear aimed at diversification rather than rivalry—positioning itself as a complementary partner to Russia, eager to reap economic and strategic benefits.
In recent years, bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia have steadily warmed. Moscow has emerged as a strategic partner in South Asia, participating in military exercises and infrastructure projects. Islamabad, for its part, has engaged Russia through barter trade agreements, energy collaboration, and diplomatic exchanges.