Putin Keeps Pakistan PM Waiting; Frustrated Shehbaz Sharif Storms Into Russian PM's Closed Door Meeting

At a recent international forum in Turkmenistan, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced a humiliating episode that has quickly become the subject of ridicule across South Asia. The event, held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's declaration of neutrality, brought together leaders from Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan. While the occasion was meant to highlight Central Asia's strategic importance, Sharif's awkward encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin stole the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The Incident

Sharif, accompanied by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, was scheduled to meet Putin. However, videos released by RT India show the Pakistani delegation waiting impatiently for nearly 40 minutes in an adjacent room. Sharif, visibly frustrated, eventually attempted to walk into a closed-door meeting between Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Security personnel quickly stopped him, underscoring the diplomatic snub.

When Putin finally met Sharif, the interaction lasted barely 10 minutes. Another clip shows Sharif seated stiffly beside an empty chair marked with a Russian flag, his irritation evident as he waited for a meeting that never truly materialised.

Online Reaction

The incident has sparked widespread mockery online. Social media users compared Sharif's brief exchange with Putin to "joining the wrong Zoom call" and described Pakistan's foreign policy as "gate-crashing at global level." One particularly harsh comment suggested Putin "does not want to waste his time on beggars."

For Indian observers, the episode highlights Pakistan's diminishing diplomatic relevance. While India has steadily expanded its global partnerships - from defence deals with France to energy cooperation with Russia and Central Asia - Pakistan appears increasingly sidelined, struggling to command respect even at symbolic forums.

The Larger Context

The forum itself was significant for Turkmenistan, a nation with the world's fourth-largest natural gas reserves. Since declaring neutrality in 1995 under Saparmurat Niyazov, Turkmenistan has largely kept both Western and Russian influence at bay. Today, under President Serdar Berdymukhamedov, the country signals cautious openness, exploring WTO membership and diversification beyond gas exports, most of which currently go to China.

Why It Matters for India

India has long sought energy partnerships in Central Asia, particularly through the ambitious TAPI pipeline project that would transport Turkmen gas via Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. Pakistan's diplomatic missteps, however, underscore the challenges New Delhi faces in pursuing regional connectivity projects that require Islamabad's cooperation.

Sharif's embarrassment in Turkmenistan is more than a personal setback; it reflects Pakistan's struggle to maintain credibility in global diplomacy. For India, the incident reinforces the importance of building direct ties with Central Asian nations, bypassing Pakistan's unpredictable role and strengthening New Delhi's position as a reliable partner in the region.