Pakistan, Russia Pledge Closer Security Cooperation in Islamabad Talks

Islamabad — Pakistan and Russia agreed to expand their security partnership as Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev held high-level talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mohsin Naqvi at the Interior Ministry, in the first visit to Pakistan by any Russian interior minister.

Kolokoltsev, who arrived in Islamabad on Monday on a four-day visit at Naqvi’s invitation, was received by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. The ministers held a private meeting followed by delegation-level talks on a wide range of cooperation between the two countries.

FAKTA

• Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev is visiting Pakistan for four days at Mohsin Naqvi’s invitation — the first visit of its kind.
• Both sides agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and information sharing against organised crime.
• Talks covered counterterrorism, cybercrime, narcotics, illegal migration, extradition and the transfer of convicted persons.
• Joint working groups from both interior ministries will visit each other’s countries to advance the cooperation.
• Discussions also covered easier visas for workers, tourists and businesspeople, plus educational exchanges — about 1,300 Pakistani students currently study in Russia.

A landmark visit

The talks marked a notable moment in a relationship that has warmed steadily over recent years. Kolokoltsev stressed the need for joint efforts against terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal migration and organised crime, calling coordinated action essential against shared challenges.

Naqvi said an agreement to combat organised crime would be an important milestone in bilateral cooperation, and that Pakistan wanted to benefit from Russia’s experience and modern technology, particularly in preventing cybercrime. Kolokoltsev said Russia had cut cybercrime by up to 33 percent through effective measures and was willing to share that experience with Pakistan.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen links between their police academies and to improve coordination between Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force and relevant Russian agencies. For more of Watan News’ English coverage, visit our English homepage.

People-to-people ties in focus

Beyond security, the meeting addressed practical matters for citizens. The two countries discussed arrangements for skilled Pakistani workers in Russia and simpler visa procedures for tourists and business communities. Naqvi said easing visa rules could strengthen people-to-people contacts.

Educational links were also on the table: around 1,300 Pakistani students are currently studying in Russia, and Naqvi expressed hope that more would pursue higher education at Russian institutions.

A steadily warming relationship

The visit fits into a broader pattern of closer engagement. In June, the two sides signed three security agreements on drug trafficking and illegal immigration during a meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and in January Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow’s relations with Islamabad were genuinely mutually beneficial.

Just last week, delegates from Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Iran, India and Central Asian states met at the eighth Moscow Format meeting on October 5 to discuss Afghanistan’s political, security and economic situation, including counterterrorism and regional connectivity.

With working groups from both interior ministries set to exchange visits soon, Islamabad and Moscow appear set to give their security cooperation a firmer institutional footing in the months ahead.