Russian Minister of Defense visited Pakistan on November 20th 2014 and met with his colleague Asif Khawaja and Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif. Following the results of the negotiations the parties have signed a military cooperation agreement, which includes purchase of new weapons and equipment for the army of Pakistan. So far the parties have discussed deliveries of Mi-35 helicopters, but Islamabad is also interested in purchase of other weapons, including mid- and short-range air defense systems, Kommersant reports.
According to a source close to Russian Ministry of Defense, the visit of Sergey Shoygu to Islamabad was arranged during Moscow conference on international security held in May. He said that the visit was initiated by the Pakistani minister, “Sergey Kozhugetovich agreed with him and promised to visit Pakistan in 2014”.
The visit was being prepared by both parties: nobody wanted the first visit of Russian (and Soviet) Defense Minister to Pakistan in 45 years to experience troubles. The route was also prepared: Russian Defense Minister arrived in Islamabad from China, one of the most important military and political allies of Pakistan, — the minster took part in the meeting of a commission on military-technical cooperation held in China.
The matters related to deliveries of weapons to Islamabad were one of the key topics of the negotiations with Asif Khawaja and Nawaz Sharif. Following the results of the meeting, Russian Defense Minister said that the countries signed military cooperation agreement, which paved way for further cooperation in this area. It was reported earlier that Rosoboronexport is negotiating deliveries of Mi-35 helicopters to Islamabad; the vehicles will be used to fight terrorism and drug traffic. According to a source close to the company, Pakistani armed forces are also interested in purchase of short- and mid-range air defense systems, long-range and guided projectiles and multiple launch rocket systems.
“I am glad that we have resumed our cooperation, hope that it would be dynamic and multidisciplinary,” Sharif said. “I am looking forward to preparation of our joint projects,” Sergey Shoygu responded.
Representatives of Pakistan’s major geopolitical rival and important ally of Russia in the area of military-technical cooperation – India, declined to comment on the situation. However, new Indian government headed by Narendra Modi cannot complain about the lack of attention from Russia: Deputy Chairman of Russian government Dmitry Rogozin visited India twice this year in order to discuss military-technical cooperation, nuclear power generation industry, investments and cooperation between India and the Customs Union. President of Russia Vladimir Putin will visit Delhi on December 11th 2014; according to sources leaders of both countries will discuss cooperation in the area of fuel and energy industry.
It must be noted that Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif also invited Vladimir Putin to Islamabad by sending him a special invitation. According to a source close to Kremlin, the visit may take place next year.
