President Asif Ali Zardari has sought Russia’s support for Pakistan’s bid to become a member of BRICS, an intergovernmental organisation, which would help the country enhance its role in regional and global cooperation through the alliance.

He said this during a meeting with Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko who, along with a delegation, called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Monday.

In 2006, Brazil, Russia, India and China created the “Bric” group. South Africa joined in 2010, making it “Brics”. The group was designed to bring together the world’s most important developing countries. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia joined the group.

While welcoming the Russian delegation, the president highlighted the relationship between Pakistan and Russia which were marked by mutual respect and a shared commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Aimal Wali Khan, Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar, Senator Saleem H Mandviwala, and Senator Bushra Anjum Butt were also present.

The president stressed the need for strengthening cultural linkages through people-to-people contacts and scholarship programmes.

He added that both countries had “enormous potential” for increasing economic cooperation and called for Russian investment in Pakistan.

President Zardari “fondly recalled his recent pleasant interaction” with President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Ashgabat.

Both sides underscored the importance of diversifying trade and economic cooperation, besides enhancing regional connectivity and commercial relations through the Belt and Road Initiative and the North-South Transport Corridor.

The Russian speaker emphasised that her country accorded “priority to its relationship with Pakistan” and expressed confidence that her visit would further enhance bilateral cooperation.

She hoped that the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Parliaments of the two countries would further deepen bilateral relations.

She expressed satisfaction over the growth in bilateral trade and also conveyed the special greetings from President Putin.

Morever, she congratulated Pakistan on the hosting of the SCO summit as well as Pakistan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The president expressed gratitude to Russia for its support of Pakistan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties in the areas of trade, commerce, investment, agriculture and energy for the mutual benefit of the two countries.