Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif's Plea to Putin Goes Viral: “We Respect India-Russia Ties, But Want Strong Relations Too”

A video of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin is going viral on social media. In the clip, Sharif is seen urging Putin to strengthen Pakistan-Russia ties, while carefully acknowledging Moscow’s long-standing partnership with India.

Sharif’s Statement to Putin

During the brief exchange, Sharif can be heard saying:

“We respect your relations with India. But we also want to build very strong ties with Russia.”

The Pakistani premier sought to reassure Putin that Islamabad’s outreach to Moscow would not conflict with Russia’s decades-old relationship with New Delhi. He also expressed gratitude for Russia’s support to Pakistan on global platforms and praised Moscow’s role in maintaining balance in South Asia.

Viral Video from the SCO Summit

The video, released by Russian authorities on Tuesday evening, shows Sharif thanking Putin for his cooperation and describing him as a “dynamic leader.” The clip was later amplified by RT India, drawing attention across South Asia.

Observers noted that the exchange came at a time when Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to dominate headlines with their visible camaraderie during the summit. One widely circulated moment showed Modi holding Putin’s hand as they walked together to meet Xi — while Sharif stood in the background, a scene that quickly became symbolic of Islamabad’s diplomatic sidelines.

Modi-Putin Bond Underscores Regional Dynamics

The SCO gathering underscored Russia’s close relationship with India. Just a day before Sharif’s remarks, Putin and Modi shared a private conversation in the Russian leader’s car. According to Kremlin officials, the two leaders spoke for nearly an hour inside the vehicle after the formal summit sessions.

Putin reportedly waited about 10 minutes for Modi to arrive and then spent another 45 minutes discussing key bilateral issues before moving to official talks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that the informal meeting highlighted the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between India and Russia.

Timing of Sharif’s Plea

Sharif’s comments came just after India secured a significant diplomatic victory at the SCO summit. The joint declaration by 10 member states included a strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, which was seen as aligning with New Delhi’s position on terrorism.

Analysts suggest that Sharif’s plea to Putin reflects Pakistan’s desire to avoid further isolation within regional blocs and to balance its ties at a time when India continues to enjoy robust relations with both Russia and China.

The Bigger Picture

The viral video has sparked debates about Pakistan’s standing in the region. While Sharif attempted to project Pakistan as an eager partner for Russia, the optics of the SCO summit seemed to underline New Delhi’s stronger diplomatic influence.

For Moscow, India remains a key defense and energy partner, while Islamabad is still seeking deeper engagement. Whether Sharif’s appeal translates into tangible outcomes remains to be seen, but the viral clip has once again highlighted the complex triangle of India, Russia, and Pakistan in South Asian geopolitics.