VLADIVOSTOK (Russia), June 2: China, India and Russia will join forces to regional stability and energy supplies, foreign ministers of the three countries declared on Thursday at the outset of a summit here. “We look forward to having a fruitful dicussion of trilateral cooperation of our countries especially as it relates to promoting regional and international stability,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

The three countries have long held talks but the Vladivostok summit is the first to be held outside an international forum. On Wednesday, Lavrov held one-to-one talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing to discuss ways to avoid “destabilisation” of Central Asia where Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have experienced considerable unrest in recent months.

“Though informal, this meeting is as important as any formal meeting... for maintaining the common interests of the three countries’ people as well as making pour own contribution to... world peace and international stability,” Mr Li said before Thursday’s meeting.

“We attach great importance to this particular meeting. We together have a population of 40 per cent of the world and we are, I think, 20 per cent of world GDP,” India’s Foreign Minister Natwar Singh pointed out.

“Our requirements in the realm of energy are” considerable “and we look to your country for... assistance,” he added, addressing Russia. China and India with their economic and demographic boom have long wanted access to Russia’s vast oil and gas resources. The Indian and Russian ministers are also due to hold bilateral talks.—AFP

Opinion

Respite needed

Respite needed

All one can fear is a familiar accounting exercise that aims to extract a few more rupees from a narrow, weary economic base.

Editorial

Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...
JAAC ban
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

JAAC ban

Though the JAAC’s demands are open to scrutiny, banning any political organisation — as long as it remains committed to peaceful activism — is undemocratic.
GB election
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

GB election

It is important that whichever party ultimately forms the government puts the needs of the people of GB above everything else.
ODI win
07 Jun, 2026

ODI win

AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against...