Pakistan has approved Russia's request to use the strategic Gwadar Port for exports, coming after Iran and Turkmenistan were allowed similar access, according to a Pakistani official. He added that Russia also wants to join the $46 billion (₹3.15 lakh crore) China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), "to reap the maximum dividends". Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has welcomed Russia to join CPEC.