Gen Raheel meets Russian counterpart

ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif held crucial talks with his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Monday on regional security as well as bilateral defence cooperation and high-level military exchanges.

Gen Raheel began his three-day official trip to Russia against the backdrop of a host of regional developments, including rising Pakistan-India tensions. The chief military spokesperson, who is also accompanying the army chief, said Gen Raheel met Russian Land Forces Commander Colonel General Oleg Sayukov. The two commanders discussed regional security, bilateral defence cooperation and high-level military exchanges between the two countries, said Maj Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Maj Gen Bajwa said the army chief was given an ‘elegant guard of honour’ at a ceremony held at Kremlin. “Wreath-laying at tomb of unknown soldier. Heart-warming to see Russian band play Pakistan anthem perfectly,” he added.

Maj Gen Bajwa said during his three day stay in Moscow, the army chief is expected to meet the top Russian civil and military leadership. This is the first-ever visit by Gen Raheel as an army chief and is seen as yet another 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 will brief the Russian authorities about 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. 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 United States.

Russia has also shown interest in selling defence equipment, including MI-35 attack helicopters, to Pakistan in a major policy shift in the wake of strategic partnership between the US and India.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2015.