MOSCOW, 10 September, 2026 (Nosheen): Russia has expressed concern over the unresolved water dispute between Pakistan and India while supporting Pakistan’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), saying Moscow is ready to work effectively and productively with Islamabad to achieve the organisation’s objectives. Russia also stressed that the dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India should be resolved through mutually respectful dialogue while taking the interests of both countries into consideration. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made these remarks during her weekly press briefing in Syktyvkar, the capital of Russia’s Komi Republic. Journalists from the Komi Republic attended the briefing in person, while journalists based in Moscow participated online. During the briefing, Zakharova addressed major regional and international issues, Russian foreign policy, bilateral relations and various global conflicts, while also responding to questions from journalists. Zakharova said Russia was concerned about the unresolved water issue between Pakistan and India as well as other aspects of tensions between the two countries, both of which have friendly relations with Russia. She said Russia believed it was important for such disputes to be resolved through mutually respectful dialogue while taking the interests of both countries into consideration.
Regarding Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship for 2026-2027, Zakharova said Pakistan had assumed the chairmanship of the organisation and would host the next SCO summit in Islamabad. She said Pakistan was chairing the SCO Council of Heads of State for the first time. She added that this important and responsible role traditionally involved developing and deepening multifaceted cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and strengthening its international standing. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said particular attention would be paid during Pakistan’s chairmanship to ensuring continuity in the implementation of the SCO’s fundamental documents, including the organisation’s Development Strategy until 2035. Zakharova said every country holding the SCO chairmanship also contributes its own priorities to the process of achieving the organisation’s common goals. She expressed confidence that Pakistan would soon present its vision for coordinated action in the political, security, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields during 2026-2027. According to Zakharova, Pakistan was also expected to identify practical measures to ensure stability and sustainable development across the SCO region. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that during the SCO summit held in Bishkek on September 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of other member states had expressed their readiness to provide Pakistan with support and assistance in successfully carrying out its chairmanship. She said Russia was ready for effective and productive joint work during Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship. Zakharova wished Pakistan success in its chairmanship and expressed her best wishes for the country.