A rare and quite welcome meeting has taken place between Russian President Viladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Beijing the other day.
Though it is not known as to what transpired between the three leaders of Russia, China and Pakistan during the informal meeting, what is a most important development on the sides of the OBOR moot is that President Putin and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have met for the first time. Both Russia and China enjoy considerable influence in the region and both are reportedly keen to end the prevailing tension between neighbouring countries India and Pakistan and have already directly and indirectly indicated their willingness to work for the peace in the Indo-Pakistan sub.-continent.
It is pertinent to note that Chinese President, Russian President, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will all be in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, in the second week of next month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Pakistan and India will be conferred full membership of the SCO on this occasion.
All these developments, both scheduled and otherwise, augur well for peace in the region though Pakistan has to move very cautiously and carefully as the Indian prime minister has the reputation of taking u-turn at any forum any time.
Meem Zay Rifat
LAHORE
