Pakistan, Russian Navy Agree To Boost Naval Cooperation

Russian Navy’s Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Anatolyevich Yevmenov met Pakistani Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in Islamabad today where both sides agreed to boost ties.

They exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including the improvement in collaboration between navies of the two countries. The Pakistani Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to ensure maritime security and peace in the region and its role in the war on terror.

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The Russian Naval Chief was also informed about Pakistan’s position on the Indian aggression in Jammu and Kashmir particularly after the withdrawal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a spokesperson of the Navy, the meeting also discussed issues of mutual interest, including cooperation between the two countries’ naval forces while the Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan’s role in ensuring maritime security. The Russian Naval Chief lauded Pakistan Navy’s efforts for maritime security and stability in the region.

Russia-Pakistan ties have shown signs of improvements when Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his desire to build closer ties with Russia. While hosting a large Russian delegation led by Trade Minister Denis Manturov, Khan indicated that Islamabad is ready to open its doors to Russian businesses and investors.

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Under a massive deal signed in Islamabad, Russia will invest $1 billion into the revival and upgrade of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), built with Soviet assistance. The two also had in their sights restoring a gas pipeline, building a railway network and procurement of the Sukhoi-built SSJ-100 jets.

Pakistan has also agreed to pay off $93.5 million it had borrowed from the Soviet Union, thus removing the last obstacle impacting Pakistan-Russia relations.