Lavrov acknowledged Islamabad’s efforts in the war on terror
Russian Foreign Minister has acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in eradicating terrorism saying militants spread inside Afghanistan along the area bordering Pakistan pose a grave threat.
Mr Lavrov revealed the statement in his annual press conference and he acknowledged Islamabad’s efforts in the war on terror, observing that militants in Afghanistan along the area bordering Pakistan pose a grave threat.
Russian Foreign Minister further said you rightly noted the intensification of our cooperation in the fight against terrorism and we are interested in the fact that this terrorist threat, which spreads both to the Pakistani territory and to Afghan territory, is poured through your border with Afghanistan.
Lavrov added that this support also includes the supply of armaments to Pakistan, such as the four Russian Helicopters Mi-35M assault helicopters on order by (and apparently delivered to) Pakistan.
Lavrov lauded Pakistan’s entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which he believes will see the expansion of joint work in a variety of areas and enrich Russian-Pakistani ties.
Earlier Russia threw its weight behind Pakistan’s efforts to become the member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), an exclusive club of nuclear trading nations, in December 2017.
The support for Pakistan’s bid came from a Russian diplomat, who told a conference that Moscow was not opposed to Pakistan’s NSG candidature and had no intention to block it.
Since the Indo-Russia relations have been eclipsed with the larger US weapon export to India, Russia may need to look for prospective markets for the sale of its military hardware and its gas.
Pakistan is likely to extend its relationship with Russia for military and economic cooperation, especially in the energy sector.
The fact that Pakistan’s all weather friend China, as well as Russia, came forward in defence of Pakistan reflects the credibility and respect Pakistan enjoys within the international community.