Ukraine stops defence sales to Pakistan

Published
0

NEW DELHI, Aug 12: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Anatoly Zlenko on Tuesday said his country had stopped supplying military hardware to Pakistan and wanted to discuss ways to enhance defence cooperation with New Delhi.

When asked about India’s concerns over Ukraine supplying Pakistan with military equipment, Mr Zlenko said it was done earlier on business interests “corresponding to our national interests” but now they were concentrating on trade and economic ties.

“We are not thinking in terms of politics on the supply of armament to this or that country,” Mr Zlenko told reporters after talks with Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha in New Delhi, the PTI reported.

Indian sources said Mr Zlenko was referring to India’s concerns over Ukraine supplying Pakistan with some 300 T-80UD tanks, the agreement for which was clinched in the mid-1990s.

He declined to comment when asked if India and Ukraine were working on any specific defence cooperation agreements at the moment, but said: “Ukraine is ready to discuss these issues.”

The two foreign ministers signed four agreements including one on the mutual protection of classified information and another on cooperation in tourism.

The two sides also ratified a treaty on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters and another on the promotion and protection of investments.

Mr Zlenko, who began his official visit here on Monday, has held talks with Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Fixing bond markets
Updated 01 Oct, 2026

Fixing bond markets

Pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, retail investors, and eventually, foreign investors must become bigger participants in the market.
Call centre rackets
01 Oct, 2026

Call centre rackets

A NUMBER of recent raids conducted by the authorities in different cities point to the growing threat fraudulent ...
Homeward bound
01 Oct, 2026

Homeward bound

FIVE months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a 19-member multinational crew, Somali maritime...
Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...