Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday in Lachin. The visit comes at a critical time, as both nations seek to enhance Pakistan-Azerbaijan cooperation in defence, trade, and diplomacy amid rising regional tensions.
Gratitude for Support During Standoff
During their meeting, PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for its strong support during Pakistan’s recent standoff with India. He recalled Azerbaijan’s public show of solidarity following India’s missile strikes and praised the country for celebrating Pakistan’s victory in the four-day conflict.
Focus on Economic and Defence Cooperation
The two leaders reviewed their growing bilateral ties, especially in political, defence, cultural, and economic sectors. Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration and announced that delegation-level talks will soon take place to accelerate Azerbaijani investment in Pakistan.
Symbolic Setting for Stronger Ties
Holding the meeting in Lachin, a city symbolic of Azerbaijan’s post-conflict recovery, added deeper meaning to the talks. PM Shehbaz emphasized the emotional and strategic significance of the location and congratulated the Azerbaijani people on their Independence Day.
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Part of Regional Diplomacy Tour
This meeting was part of PM Shehbaz’s broader four-nation tour. After visiting Iran and Turkiye, he arrived in Azerbaijan ahead of the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit. His final stop will be Tajikistan. The tour follows Pakistan’s military response to unprovoked Indian attacks on May 7, which resulted in dozens of casualties.
Pakistan Responds to Indian Aggression
Pakistan retaliated to India’s strikes by downing six fighter jets and multiple drones. A ceasefire was reached on May 10, ending the most intense cross-border exchange in decades. Now, Pakistan is engaging diplomatically to counter India’s narrative globally.
Next Steps in Global Engagement
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will soon lead a delegation abroad to brief world leaders and the international media. The goal is to promote Pakistan’s peace-driven message while building global alliances in light of ongoing hostilities in the region.
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