'Russia attaches great importance to anti-terror cooperation with Pakistan'

Published February 11, 2016
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu at the PM House. ─ Dawn/File photo
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu at the PM House. ─ Dawn/File photo

MOSCOW: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday that Russia attaches great importance to counter-terrorist cooperation with Pakistan as a key player in the field, according to a report published on the Sputnik website.

"Pakistan is one of the key countries in the fight against terrorism. In this regard, Russia, of course attaches great importance to cooperation with Pakistan," Peskov told reporters.

Earlier in January this year, the Russian Army's Commander-in-Chief Oleg Salyukov had announced that Russian ground forces will hold its first ever military exercises with Pakistan in the coming year

A Russian delegation had also visited Pakistan last month to discuss the sale of military hardware and agreement to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries.

Read: Pak-Russia talks on delivery of Su-35, Mi-35s underway: Russian Deputy FM

Pakistan and Russia are in talks about the delivery of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets and the two countries have also previously agreed upon delivery of four Mi-35M helicopters, which followed a historic change in Russian policy towards Pakistan.

Russia and Pakistan have lately been working on enhancing defence cooperation and are believed to have already covered a lot of ground. Exchange of visits by military commanders in recent years is an indication of progress achieved in this regard.

Russia had lifted its embargo on arms supplies to Pakistan in June 2014 and signed a bilateral defence cooperation agreement with Pakistan to strengthen military-to-military relations in November 2014.

India’s decision to enter into tighter embrace with the US had prompted Russia to rethink its defence relationship with Pakistan.

Also read: Russian team holds talks on sale of military hardware

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...