SCO Summit: Pakistan PM Sharif’s Awkward Exchange With Putin

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, found himself in the spotlight once again at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. His encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin became the talk of social media after a viral video captured a light-hearted moment.

During a photo session at the summit, Sharif enthusiastically broke protocol to greet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, momentarily disrupting the official proceedings. The incident amused onlookers and quickly circulated online, adding to the history of awkward moments between Sharif and Putin.

This isn’t the first time Sharif has made headlines for such incidents. At a previous SCO Summit in 2022, he struggled with a translator earpiece, prompting laughter from Putin himself. “Can somebody help me?” Sharif had asked, setting off a wave of amusement.

During this year’s summit, Sharif also took the opportunity to discuss bilateral trade with Russia, recalling Pakistan’s historical barter trade practices with Russia from the 1950s to the 1970s. He proposed reviving this system, where Pakistan exported commodities like leather in exchange for Russian machinery. Despite the nostalgia, current bilateral trade stands modestly at $1 billion, prompting Sharif to express optimism about its potential expansion.

In his televised remarks, the Pakistani Prime Minister emphasized addressing financial and banking challenges to facilitate increased trade between the two nations. The exchange highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in Pakistan-Russia relations, set against the backdrop of the SCO’s diplomatic forum.

The viral video and Sharif’s diplomatic efforts underscored the complexities and occasional light-heartedness of international relations, providing a memorable moment at this year’s SCO Summit.