Russia’s Interior Minister Visits Pakistan in First-Ever Trip, Reviews Police Parade

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev visited Islamabad Police Lines and the Pakistan Monument on Tuesday, October 13, during his four-day visit to Pakistan, which marks the first-ever trip by a Russian interior minister to the country. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between Moscow and Islamabad.

Kolokoltsev arrived in Islamabad on Monday at the invitation of Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry welcomed him at the airport, according to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry. The ministry said the Russian minister would hold important discussions with the country’s top leadership on bilateral relations and enhancing mutual cooperation.

On Tuesday, Kolokoltsev, accompanied by Chaudhry, visited Islamabad Police Lines, where he reviewed a police parade and received a salute from special units. The national anthems of Pakistan and Russia were played during the ceremony, according to Pakistani media reports.

The Russian minister was presented with the Pakistani national flag, which he kissed as a mark of respect. He also praised the professionalism of Islamabad Police personnel and presented awards to officers for their performance. Senior police officials, including Islamabad Inspector General of Police Sohail Chaudhry, were present.

Kolokoltsev later visited the Pakistan Monument, where a contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a salute. He also laid flowers at the Martyrs’ Memorial to pay tribute to those who lost their lives. During his visit to Shakarparian, he viewed Islamabad and the Margalla Hills and appreciated the capital’s natural beauty.

According to Russia’s Interior Ministry, Kolokoltsev’s programme includes working meetings to discuss the current state and future prospects of law-enforcement cooperation between the two countries. He is also scheduled to visit police units and participate in official engagements. No new bilateral agreement arising from the visit had been publicly confirmed in the reports reviewed.

The visit comes as Russia and Pakistan seek to expand ties after decades of Cold War-era hostility. Their engagement has increasingly covered economic, energy and security cooperation, with both sides exploring opportunities to deepen their partnership.

Pakistan began importing Russian crude oil in 2023 as Islamabad sought to diversify its energy supplies and reduce import costs, while Moscow looked for alternative markets following Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict.

In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin described relations with Pakistan as “genuinely mutually beneficial”. The Russian Embassy in Pakistan quoted him as reaffirming Moscow’s close cooperation with Islamabad, a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk also described Pakistan and Russia as “natural allies” in July, highlighting the importance of economic and energy cooperation. Kolokoltsev’s visit provides another opportunity for the two countries to advance their engagement, particularly in policing and security.