Russia-Pakistan Relations: These days Pakistan is busy strengthening its relations with Russia. A high-level Russian delegation led by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander V. Fomin has set out on a visit to Pakistan. On October 29 (Tuesday), Russia’s Deputy Security Minister, Colonel General Alexander V. Fomin met separately with the three army chiefs of Pakistan in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.
In this meeting, Russia and Pakistan have resolved to increase cooperation with each other in the field of defense and security. Let us tell you that a few days ago Pakistan had suffered a big shock. Pakistan did not even get an invitation to the BRICS conference 2024 held in Kazan hosted by Russia. However, the Russian delegation’s visit to Pakistan just a few days after the BRICS conference has become a topic of discussion.
Discussed issues of regional security and mutual interests
Pakistan Army’s media wing ‘Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)’ has issued a statement on this meeting between Russia and Pakistan. In this issued statement, it was told that ‘In the meeting with the Russian delegation led by Army Chief General Asim Munir, both the countries had in-depth discussions on the issues of regional security and mutual interests. In this, increasing bilateral defense and security cooperation has also been discussed.
At the same time, General Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen its traditional defense relations with Russia. In the statement issued, it was said that in this meeting, new ways to further strengthen the relations between the two countries through joint military exercises and technical assistance for PAF equipment were also discussed.
How worried is India about the meeting of Russia and Pakistan?
In recent times, bilateral relations between Russia and Pakistan have progressed significantly. According to the report of Business Recorder, the annual bilateral business between Russia and Pakistan has increased by about 50 percent in the year 2023. Which has exceeded 1 billion dollars.
After the Russia-Ukraine war that continued for more than a year, Russia started facing economic crisis. Russia, which is surrounded by economic crisis due to the sanctions imposed by Western countries, is now looking for new allies to deal with this problem.
At the same time, a Russian official informed Business Recorder that last year the first consignment of Russian crude oil reached Karachi Port in Pakistan. By the end of 2023, its share in Russian exports to Pakistan will exceed 20 percent. It is noteworthy that the friendship between India and Russia is decades old and Russia has not made any defense agreement with Pakistan, which could become a matter of concern for India.