Pakistan

Army chief arrives in Russia for crucial talks: ISPR

Sources say army chief will brief Russian authorities on current regional situation

Kamran Yousuf June 15, 2015

PHOTO: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif arrived in Moscow on a three-day official visit to Russia against the backdrop of realignments taking place in the region.

The chief military spokesperson, who is also accompanying the army chief, said General Raheel was given an "elegant guard of honour" at a ceremony held at Kremlin on Monday.

“Wreath laying at tomb of unknown soldier. Heart warming to see Russian band play Pakistan anthem perfectly,” Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted.

#COAS arrived Moscow,3 days official visit.Very elegant Guard of honour ceremony held infront of Kremlin in his honor pic.twitter.com/udElXTOx2A
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 15, 2015

Wreath laying at tomb of unknown soldier.Heart warming to see Russian band play Pak anthem perfectly.Meetings follow pic.twitter.com/kmbyQFUUF5
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 15, 2015

During his three-day stay in Moscow, the army chief is expected to meet the top Russian civil and military leadership.

Read: No one dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan, army chief hits back at India

This is the first visit by General Raheel as the army chief to Russia, and is seen as sign of warming ties between the former cold-war rivals.

The visit comes against the backdrop of rising tensions between Pakistan and India. Sources said the army chief would brief Russian authorities on the current regional situation.

His visit is also seen as part of proactive diplomacy launched by Pakistan to reach out to regional countries in the wake of realignments in the region.

Relations between Pakistan and Russia have improved in recent years as the two countries are willing to bury their bitter past and open a new chapter in their relationship.

Read: Pak-China economic corridor: Army chief vows to defeat enemy’s designs

It is believed that Moscow is also keen to improve its ties with Islamabad after India, its long term ally, decided to move closer to the US.

COMMENTS (43)

Asad | 9 years ago | Reply @Kushal: That is exactly what I wanted. Being educated it does not suit us to bully someone for Muslim/Hindu Name. I wish there are no separation movements but since you asked me to do a little research, here is what I found link text As far as I am concerned it does not bother me since we have our issues and I believe we should concentrate on them instead of pointing others about their weak points. So let us end this discussion that hatred won't help, this would make a lot of difference isn't it?

chowdhury.kushal@gmail.com | 9 years ago | Reply @Asad: My dear brother. I got your point, now please try to get my point as well, will you? It makes a lot of difference. The fake person is not an Indian, I am sure he hasn't come within 200 miles of Indian border, and he is spreading hatred against India. Whatever he has written is utter lie. There is no separation movement going on in Southern states or Arunachal Pradesh as he has described. This is not to say India is super power, far from it. But India is making rapid progress in economic terms, you can google any neutral sites. Even during so called economic downtime, as Modi Bhakts describe the Congress regime, India was adding a Dubai every year within its economic fold. Please take time out to read this. http://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-economic-growth-hits-four-year-high-1432902911

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ahk | 9 years ago | Reply Russian weapons has no utility at all in modern weaponry as compared to usa and isreal. why pak is buying such weapons.not a stupid question i think

ahk | 9 years ago | Reply Russian weapons has no utility at all in modern weaponry as compared to usa and isreal. why pak is buying such weapons.not a stupid question i think

ahk | 9 years ago | Reply in my opinion russain weapons has no or zero utlilty at all in modern warfare as compared to usa and isreal. stupid policy of pak.

Asad | 9 years ago | Reply @Kushal: Wao and yet again you are arguing over the same point instead of the facts. What do I call you now?

Kushal | 9 years ago | Reply @Asad: You have to be a genius to believe he is an Indian.

Asad | 9 years ago | Reply @Kushal: Even if he uses a Muslim name, does that change the fact about India? If no then stop arguing about names and work for the betterment of your country. Your hatred won't help your country! @Ram Gopalan: I commented just to make you people aware that Pakistan has every right to defend it self and work for the betterment of people. Its high time that India-Pakistan resolve differences and work for peace, but then your PM makes insane statements which are obviously not encouraged here in Pakistan.

jasim | 9 years ago | Reply all the pakistan generals are on peak on their populirity, but once they retired then they become zero,

Shankar | 9 years ago | Reply @Pity: In all honesty, there is absolutely nothing in Pakistan that I would envy. (And I don't say this out of spite.) But I am amazed to see how high an esteem you place your nation in despite the fact that it is crumbling on all fronts.

Kushal | 9 years ago | Reply @Ram Gopalan: Union of South Indian states... Lolzzzz That is what you have been taught in your village Madrasa, right? I have a business in Bangalore and travel to all over South for most of the year. I think South Indians are more patriotic than others when it comes to Pakistan. If you were a true Indian you would have known from my name that I am not from North. BTW: Ram is not a first name in South. Its common in North. Next do some research before choosing a name. @ET: Please publish. Please get out of Taliban type censure-ship.

asher javed | 9 years ago | Reply @RAZA: I am a pakistani and i love my country... What makes u think im not?

Ram Gopalan | 9 years ago | Reply @Kushal: No actually ashamed of people like you that dwell in India. You North Indians mistakenly think that the economy, politics and importantly the society belongs to you'll. We in South India are sick of it and are reaching the point where an all out break-away movement could erupt soon just like in Kashmir, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh and so many other places ! People may think we are dark, ugly etc but one-thing is for sure our hearts, minds and souls are way more brighter than you North Indians. We are the actual / real Hindus. A day shall come soon that we will form our own Union of South Indian States - very soon!

Kushal | 9 years ago | Reply @Ram Gopalan: Ashamed of using your Muslim name? I thought it's only Pakistanis in North America has a tendency to pose as Indians.

RAZA | 9 years ago | Reply @ashar: i understand you are not Pakistani

Kushal | 9 years ago | Reply Nothing but a feel good factor. India and Russia are iron brothers. Nothing he can achieve there.

KRISHAN PAKISTANI | 9 years ago | Reply @sharabi In practical terms such petty things (Veto from New Delhi) doesn't matter anymore !. Don't be too bookish. In reality, If it was up to these vetos you're referring to in your comment, then most wars / confrontations around the world would have been avoided, in the first place. In short - it's all changing and I believe, in a positive direction for South Asia in particular and the World in general

sharabi | 9 years ago | Reply @Kash First your comment shows lack of manners & second thing is that Russia Pakistan Relations depends upon Veto from New Delhi. If you study International geo politics then you will be able to understand.

Ram Gopalan | 9 years ago | Reply @Asad: Add Bangladesh to it. Don't believe what our media portraits. They only present the life style of Bollywood Stars and a few thousand rich Indians living primarily in 7 Indian cities. That's it. Beyond that the REAL Hindustan begins. Our population is roughly 1.23 billion. Among that approx 5-6% live a decent life style (in Indian context) while the rest are at the mercy of Bhagwan or if lucky relatives living in Middle East / Western countries. There is mass scale poverty all over the place. UN experts believe poverty in India is even worst than that in the poorest countries in Africa. Slums after slums, dirt, mountains of trash, diseases, malnutrition, system-wide illiteracy (save for few cities), antiquated & strange cultural norms, religious intolerance, violence against women, corruption ingrained in nerves of society and an upper elite class always wary of the intentions of masses; in the event should they rise and regain power ! In short, you Pakistanis are way better off in almost every aspects of society! We envy you'll.

Ram Gopalan | 9 years ago | Reply Add Bangladesh to it. Don't believe what our media portraits. They only present the life style of Bollywood Stars and a few thousand rich Indians living primarily in 7 Indian cities. That's it. Beyond that the REAL Hindustan begins. Our population is roughly 1.23 billion. Among that approx 5-6% live a decent life style (in Indian context) while the rest are at the mercy of Bhagwan or if lucky relatives living in Middle East / Western countries. There is mass scale poverty all over the place. UN experts believe poverty in India is even worst than that in the poorest countries in Africa. Slums after slums, dirt, mountains of trash, diseases, malnutrition, system-wide illiteracy (save for few cities), antiquated & strange cultural norms, religious intolerance, violence against women, corruption ingrained in nerves of society and an upper elite class always wary of the intentions of masses; in the event should they rise and regain power ! In short, you Pakistanis are way better off in almost every aspects of society! We envy you'll.

Asad | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan, China and Russia circling India from all sides!

N | 9 years ago | Reply Another knockout undercut by general Raheel Sharif on the face of PM Modi

max | 9 years ago | Reply ibrar@we Indian are not victims of ""STRATEGIC CONDITIONING"". if you look at what we took from USSR was not exactly weapons but technology , as western powers were with you and were not ready to give it to us.It is our national policy to ensure transfer of technology alongwith arm procurement. we owe OUR PROGRESS TO THAT KNOWLEDGE. and we are still looking for it from west as they have the best and that what we need. lastly pl do not demean your army chief by saying""…just as they did for the Indians as a Bakshish during the Cold War""", because in your case national interests still flow through barrel of the gun

THE | 9 years ago | Reply Breaking News: There is a huge shortage of burnol in India ! There is smoke coming from the backside of hate filled Indians and they need some bad news from Pakistan to keep them calm.

Zahid | 9 years ago | Reply Shame on our civil government, our hero General Raheel Sharif visited Russia to make good relationship and thanks for Russians to gave warm welcome to our hero General Raheel Sharif

Waseem | 9 years ago | Reply God bless you, Gen Raheel....

faisal | 9 years ago | Reply This isn't his job. Do we have a secret martial law in place? Is that the price army wanted for ending of dharnas?

unbelievable | 9 years ago | Reply Russia wants to sell weapons because it's running out of money. Pakistan wants to buy weapons but doesn't have any money. The "crucial talks" is likely about whether Russia can afford to extend credit for arms sales ... normally yes but these days maybe not.

Faisal Ayub | 9 years ago | Reply Things are changing so quickly Brace yourselves Something big is coming

jason | 9 years ago | Reply pakistan you guys 45 years too late in mending fences with russia they will only play pakistan for arms sale that is if you have any money to buy we have all sorts of treaty and JVs with them infact the treaty says russia and india can share any information and of other countries in short you will be passing us all the vital information through russia lololol

Sarfaraz Abbasi | 9 years ago | Reply Russia should realize that India will not be their trusted partner, nor it ever was. An alliance between Pakistan and Russia will be good one; perhaps best ever. Russia must stop selling weapons to India to be used against Pakistan.

cautious | 9 years ago | Reply So why are the talks "crucial"? Russia will sell arms to anyone these days - all you need is cash.

Rahulghandu | 9 years ago | Reply @rahul: My name says it all..what weird names your rulers have haha

Jibran | 9 years ago | Reply "Heart warming to see Russian band play Pakistan anthem perfectly"... DG ISPR. Do we need as high as a Lt. General to issue such statements on Twitter?

Ibrar | 9 years ago | Reply @rahul: Pakistan is going through an important transition and at this moment in time our circumstances require civilian and army leadership to be working in tandem. As for future ties with Russia it is only natural that recent geopolitical changes would require Pakistan to open up to more countries. Interestingly it was Pakistan who mediated secret friendship talks between China and the U.S. In early 1970s While it is now China bringing Pakistan and Russia closer. This does not mean end of India-Russian ties as India's current military equipment will remain dependent on the later for a while. In due course hopefully Russia should be willing to assist us in various ways like a satellite launch facility when we are ready ...just as they did for the Indians as a Bakshish during the Cold War. Raheel Sharif is looking great in the picture at guard of honour.

ashar | 9 years ago | Reply @rahul: Here in Pakistan Our PAK ARMY controls the government and everything else! Long live Pakistan army!

Kash | 9 years ago | Reply @rahul.. PM, FM....whatever...You don't need to get into details. You just need to remember one thing...he's your Daddy.

Farhan | 9 years ago | Reply Thankfully we have Army as at least the only sane institution. Thanks Gen. Raheel Shatif for being so sensible and demonstrating exemplary leadership qualities.

Zubair Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @rahul: Dont you know: Deal was security and foreign policy matters to be dealt by COAS. So was the guarantee for Civilian Sherif to continue with his ongoing term.

Pity | 9 years ago | Reply @rahul: Something is burning across the border.

Pakistan#1 | 9 years ago | Reply @rahul: Whichever one he is, doesn't matter much, especially, in current geopolitical environment - What really matter's is that, he is a patriot, and serves in the best interests of PAKISTAN ! Hope that answers, your question.

rahul | 9 years ago | Reply Is he PM or Foreign Minister? He makes more statement than Mr Nawaz shariff. He visits more countries.

Athar Basit | 9 years ago | Reply China has helped Pakistan smooth her relationship with Russia in a polite and reciprocal manner Though Russia is closer to Iran than to Pakistan and China, closer to Pakistan but very soon there could be cross relationship developing and maturing which would be beneficial to the region and would add value in terms of peace and progress

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