Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday on the sidelines of a regional security forum in Manila, as Islamabad advanced parallel diplomatic efforts to deepen ties with Moscow and strengthen its warming ties with Dhaka.
The meetings reflect two of Pakistan’s key recent foreign policy priorities. While Islamabad has steadily expanded institutional cooperation with Russia in recent years through sustained engagement on energy and regional connectivity, it has also moved to rebuild relations with
Bangladesh following the political transition in Dhaka in 2024, with both countries pursuing closer diplomatic and economic cooperation after years of limited engagement.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov today in Manila, ahead of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.
“The two leaders reviewed Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and other key areas, as well as enhancing coordination at multilateral forums,” it added. “They underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement in advancing the Pakistan-Russia partnership.”
The two officials also exchanged views on regional and international developments and agreed to remain in close contact.
The meeting builds on a broader pattern of institutional engagement between Islamabad and Moscow, with both countries having in recent months pursued a long-term economic cooperation roadmap through 2030 while continuing discussions on energy collaboration and security cooperation.
Bangladesh
Dar also met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who is also the president-elect of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The two ministers reviewed the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening ties, welcoming growing people-to-people contacts and improved connectivity following the commencement of direct flights between the two countries earlier this year.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have significantly expanded diplomatic engagement since the downfall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina amid political demonstrations in August 2024, with both governments seeking to reset relations through high-level exchanges, stronger economic cooperation and greater regional engagement after years of strained ties.
The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Manila, where Dar is leading Pakistan’s delegation and is expected to hold additional bilateral meetings with participating foreign ministers.
Established in 1994, the ASEAN Regional Forum is the Asia-Pacific’s principal multilateral platform for dialogue on political and security issues. Pakistan joined the forum in 2004 and regularly participates in its ministerial meetings as part of its broader engagement with the region.
ADB
Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday held a productive meeting with ADB Vice President (South, Central and West Asia) Yingming Yang, ADB Vice President (Sectors and Themes) Fatima Yasmin, ADB Director Generals and officials, along with Executive Director for Pakistan, Nashita Mohsin, at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila.
The two sides reaffirmed their more than six-decade-long Pakistan-ADB partnership and explored ways to strengthen further cooperation in infrastructure, climate resilience, regional connectivity, and sustainable economic growth.
The FM appreciated ADB’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s development priorities and underscored the importance of continued collaboration, a news release issued by the Foreign Office Spokesperson said.
The deputy prime minister highlighted the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project as one of the Government’s flagship infrastructure initiatives and a priority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.