Pakistani troops to get training in Russia, both sides agree in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia, in an effort to improve bilateral military cooperation, inked an agreement that allows for the training of Pakistani troops at Russian military institutes.

“Both countries signed the Contract on Admission of Service Members of Pakistan in RF’s (Russian Federation) Training Institutes,” Pakistan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement Tuesday at the end of the two-day talks in Islamabad.
The Russian delegation was invited by Pakistan Defense Secretary Lt. Gen (Retd) Zamir ul Hassan Shah to attend the first session of the Russia-Pakistan Joint Military Consultative Committee (JMCC), which is the “highest forum of defense collaboration between Pakistan and the Russian Federation,” according to the Defense Ministry.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Col Gen. Alexander V. Fomin, led the Russian delegation that visited Islamabad from Aug 6 to 7.
“During the inaugural session of the JMCC, both sides exchanged views on bilateral and major international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and Afghanistan,” the Defense Ministry said.
“A comprehensive issue-based review was also carried out during which the two countries expressed satisfaction on the milestones achieved since the signing of the groundbreaking Agreement on Defense Cooperation in 2014. The two sides also held in-depth discussions on avenues of future cooperation.”
“We have seen a significant improvement in bilateral ties in recent years that shows Pakistan and Russia are gradually inching toward a strategic relationship,” Qamar Cheema, a strategic and political analyst, told Arab News.
Viewing the training of Pakistani cadets at Russian military institutions, Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, an Islamabad-based analyst, said: “This will improve the undertaking between both the forces’ soldiers and also deepen Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations.
“As a regional power Russia can play an important role in peace in Afghanistan and there is convergence between Moscow and Islamabad on this,” Jaspal added. “We have seen both sides discussing the regional issues in the past as well and want to work together.”
Col. General Fomin also called on Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed the regional security situation and matters of mutual interest, including enhancement of bilateral defense and security cooperation.
“The Deputy Minister expressed his appreciation for Pakistan Army’s achievements against terrorism and expressed requirement of greater cooperative and collaborative approach among global community to defeat extremism,” the Inter Services Public Relations said in a statement.
The Russian official also visited Air Headquarters Islamabad and held discussions with Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan. The two dignitaries “discussed matters of professional interest, the regional security situation, and various matters of bilateral defense cooperation,” said the Pakistan Air Force.