New Delhi

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Moscow on a two-day official visit on Thursday even as Russia launched military operations against Ukraine, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The Prime Minister was greeted by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov upon his arrival and was also presented a guard of honour.

Khan is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin later in the day.

The last Pakistani premier to visit Russia was Nawaz Sharif in March 1999, while former President Asif Ali Zardari came to Moscow in 2011.

As the Prime Minister has already played down the timing of the visit and any effect it would have on Pakistan's relations with the West, there is a thinking that this visit is a double-edged sword and the government must tread with caution.

Pakistan National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, however, rejected the notion about the timing of the visit.

"Yes there is a global tension but our visit is of bilateral nature and a similar path was taken in the visit to China where economy, economic indicators, and connectivity was at the heart of that tour," he said.

Asked about Pakistan's stance when the crisis deepens, he said his country's message for Russia and the whole world was that it was not in any zero-sum game and there was no such (demand) from Kremlin as well.