ISLAMABAD: Director of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) Dr Andrew Kartunovon has said Russia strongly supported Pakistan to join BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa alliance) as it was an important country of the region.

He was speaking at a seminar jointly organised by the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD) and the Russian International Affairs Council on Thursday.

Mr Kartunovon elaborated that Pakistan was a big and important country that could positively foster South-South cooperation and economic linkages.

He emphasised that there was a need to devise mechanisms for fostering a bilateral relationship between Russia and Pakistan.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Q Suleri said that sustaining the multipolar world required that dependency on any single currency be reduced and that the use of multiple currencies be strengthened in the global financial system.

Dr Suleri also proposed that The Global South must explore options for establishing a network of think tanks.

Ms Julia from RIAC explained that the SCO and BRICS have different mandates, and BRICS cannot assume the role of a security organisation. Therefore, more focus should be placed on economic cooperation and linkages.

Senator Mushahid Hussain explained that they are living through a century of unprecedented changes. The Global South must work together to achieve a balanced global order.

He emphasised that the Global South should enhance comprehensive cooperation, which must be multidimensional and focus on development.

Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan said Pakistan should join the New Development Bank and benefit from its development and economic growth opportunities.

In his concluding remarks, Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of AIERD, emphasised that Russia and Pakistan should develop mechanisms for academic and literature exchange.

Moreover, Russia should focus on its communication policy, otherwise, propaganda will damage Russia’s image and interests.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024