Pak Army Chief arrives in Russia, touts defence ties

Moscow [Russia], Apr. 24 (ANI): Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday arrived in Russia on an official visit and touted the military to military cooperation.

General Bajwa, who was presented guard of honour by the Russian authorities, met Commander Russian Federation Ground Forces Colonel General Oleg Salyukov at Kremlin Palace, according to a statement issued by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The ISPR is the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

The statement added that the Russian Ground Forces Commander said that Pakistan is a geo-strategically important country and Russia is keen to expand its existing bilateral military to military cooperation.

General Bajwa thanked Russian Ground Forces Commander and said that Pakistan reciprocates desire of enhanced bilateral military engagements.

On a related note, Moscow struck a defense cooperation agreement with Islamabad. The 2014 agreement was finalised, when Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pakistan. It was the first visit by a Russian defense minister to Pakistan since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The agreement provides for exchange of information on politico-military issues; cooperation for promoting international security; intensification of counter-terrorism and arms control activities among many, according to a report published in Dawn.(ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI