Pakistani Ambassador to Russia Muhammad Khalid Jamali on Wednesday said that Pakistan has agreed to join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) following an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, and has commenced the accession process.

"Referring to President Vladimir Putin’s State of the Union Address, where he invited Pakistan to join the International Transport Corridor, Pakistan in principle has agreed to join it and started the relevant procedure. We are heading towards that direction," Jamali said while addressing the International IT-Forum in the Russian city of Khanty-Mansiysk.

The diplomat underscored the robust bilateral ties between Pakistan and Russia as he mentioned their collaboration in global forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the United Nations.

"We have requested assistance from our Russian friends in joining the BRICS," he noted.

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The Pakistani diplomat said that the country had effectively imported one million tons of crude oil from Russia and expressed keen interest in ensuring continuous access to Russian oil and gas resources.

Regarding agriculture, Jamali highlighted its potential for cooperation, citing Pakistan's strong agricultural foundation and the significant 69% of its population employed in this sector.

He further mentioned progress in revitalizing the Silk Road, evidenced by the successful shipment of Pakistani citrus fruits to the Russian Republic of Dagestan through Iran and Azerbaijan.

"We are trying to revive the historic Silk Route. The first shipment of Pakistani citrus fruits has reached Dagestan via Iran and Azerbaijan. This new trade route signifies the potential for increased trade volume, which has already reached $1 billion," Jamali added.

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The INSTC is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode network of ship, rail, and road routes for moving freight between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and North Europe.

The corridor is packed with seaports on the Gulf and in the Caspian region, along with road and rail routes. The rail route from Iran to Russia is anticipated to be a game-changer, bringing a whole new world of economic benefits to both parties. But it is still a work in progress.

In July 2023, President Ebrahim Raisi urged relevant institutions to accelerate the port's development within the framework of the INSTC. 

Pakistan to join International Transport Corridor as per President Putin’s vision, said Pak Amb Muhammad Khalid Jamali at the International IT-Forum in Khanty-Mansiysk. He also emphasized strong potential of Pak-Russia 🇵🇰🤝🇷🇺 cooperation in energy, agriculture and education. pic.twitter.com/lKIoTuW32I

— Pakistan Embassy Russia (@PakinRussia) June 19, 2024