🇷🇺🇵🇰 May 1 marks 7️⃣8️⃣ years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our country and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In the early years of #Pakistan’s independence, the Soviet Union provided significant economic assistance to the newly-established state, having supplied back then tens of thousands of tonnes of food grain. In the 1970s, with Moscow’s expertise, Pakistan launched the development of its largest steel mill in Karachi, the Muzaffargarh; Multan-II and Guddu thermal power plants, and a radio station near Islamabad. The USSR also helped in setting up the Oil & Gas Development Company and in developing agriculture in the Islamic Republic. 🤝 Enhancing the mutually beneficial partnership with Pakistan is one of Russia’s foreign policy priorities in #SouthAsia. The dialogue between Moscow and Islamabad is actively developing. The bilateral cooperation between our countries is based on mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests, overlapping positions on the majority of aspects on the international agenda. Regular meetings are held by Russia-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. In 2023, our mutual trade turnover between our countries exceeded $1 billion. Today, Russian and Pakistani pharmaceutical companies are preparing to launch a joint project to produce insulin in Pakistan. Cooperation in education is also expanding: for the 2025-2026 academic year, 152 Russian government grants have been given for Pakistani students to study at Russian universities. The number of students studying Russian at universities in Pakistan has been steadily increasing year-to-year. 🌐 Russia and Pakistan work closely together on international platforms, including the #UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO) which is a key element of the security and sustainable development system in #Eurasia. Pakistan is also one of Russia’s key international partners in addressing the security challenges and threats. We stand ready to continue working together to further strengthen ties between our nations and peoples, and to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the political, economic, educational, cultural, humanitarian and other areas. 🎉 We extend our warmest greetings to our Pakistani colleagues on this shared landmark day — the anniversary of diplomatic relations between our nations! #RussiaPakistan