The remarks came as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, formally presented his credentials to President Putin during a ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace on Thursday, according to the Pakistani Embassy in Moscow.

“We maintain close cooperation with Pakistan, a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the largest regional organisation in terms of economic, technological, and human potential.

Russia-Pakistan relations are genuinely mutually beneficial,” President Putin said, as quoted by the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan in a post on X.

President Putin termed Pakistan a close partner and noted with appreciation that bilateral cooperation was expanding in areas including trade, diplomacy, commerce, education, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, railways, industry, health and information technology.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Tirmizi conveyed greetings and best wishes from the President, the Prime Minister and the people of Pakistan to the Russian leader.

Ambassador Tirmizi assumed charge of Pakistan’s mission in Moscow on October 26, 2025.

His tenure is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in energy, trade, connectivity, culture and education, while also promoting people-to-people contacts and supporting the Pakistani diaspora in the Russian Federation.

The credential presentation marks another step in the steady expansion of Pakistan-Russia relations, particularly within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.