Pakistan's foreign minister says he hopes the country will build stronger ties with Russia, as the South Asian country grapples with economic turmoil.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made the remark in an exclusive interview with NHK in Tokyo on Sunday.

Pakistan has been plagued by high inflation and a serious foreign currency shortage since devastating floods last year.

Last month, Pakistan began importing crude oil from Russia. Observers say Islamabad is seeking closer ties with Moscow, which is facing Western economic sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.

Bhutto said the aim of the procurement is to meet the energy needs of the people and not to shift imports from anyone to anyone else.

Bhutto said Pakistan-Russia relations are on a positive trajectory and he hopes they will be further strengthened.

But he added his country is not keen on being part of any sort of political blocs like other countries.

Bhutto is scheduled to meet Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Monday.