Russia committed to develop ties with Pakistan

Russia on Monday said it is committed to developing its relationship with Pakistan, though India should have no concern about such moves as they are within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and aimed at ensuring regional stability. Russian ambassador Nikolay Kudashev told a news briefing. His deputy, Roman Babushkin, said Russia’s ties with Pakistan are “independent in nature” and the two sides have a trade and economic agenda.

“If you take a look at the substance of our ties with Pakistan and the priorities we are committed to, you could easily see they would correspond to the basic values of Russia and India, especially the privileged and strategic partnership – issues like regional stability, transparency, fighting terror, drugs and crime first and foremost,” Kudashev said. Economic cooperation between Russia and Pakistan, Kudashev said, is a key to progress and predictability. “Our ties with Pakistan are naturally no exception to the values of our ties with India,” he added.Babushkin said India should not be worried about Russia’s commitment to respect the sensitivities of any other country.

“The basic principle of Russian foreign policy is to have bilateral relations not aimed against any other country. This is the very important principle we are following when it comes to cooperation with every country in the world, including Pakistan,” he added. In response to an another question, Babushkin said Russia and India closely consult each other on the situation in Afghanistan.