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Manohar Parrikar is believed to have raised the Pakistan question during his two-day visit to Moscow, sharing India's concerns on Russia's recent arms sales to Pakistan
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar is believed to have raised the Pakistan question during his two-day visit to Moscow, sharing India's concerns on Russia's recent arms sales to Pakistan and talks of future collaborations on the military front.
Parrikar, who met his counterpart Sergei Shoigu for the intergovernmental commission on military and technical cooperation, primarily discussed joint military projects like the medium transport aircraft and the fifth generation fighter programme, but also put across India's concern on the growing Russia-Pakistan military relations, sources told ET.
While India considers its partnership with Russia to be time-tested and strategic and sees no scaling down in relations despite the military choosing western products that are now on offer, there is unease over reports that high-end equipment is being made on offer to Pakistan, they said.
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar raises Pakistan question in Russia, shares concerns on arms sales
While the Indian military establishment does not consider the recent sale of four Russian Mi-35 attack choppers to Pakistan as having major security implications, it has been a landmark deal because it was the first combat platform Russia sold to the country.
Larger concerns revolve around reports that Pakistan is in talks to acquire the Su-35 fighter aircraft — a high-end combat platform that is more capable than the India's Su-30 MKI fleet, sources said. Though Moscow has denied that it is close to signing an agreement on the fighters, it is believed that a formal request of interest has been sent by Pakistan — the first step in a military purchase project with Russia.
India also will want to clarify reports that Pakistan and Russia are set to conduct their first joint military exercise. Following a visit by the Pakistan defence minister to Moscow in April, several reports cropped up about an upcoming joint military exercise between the two nations.
Officials ET spoke with were, however, categorical that Indo-Russian relations are not in a slump as has been the perception in certain quarters, insisting that new areas of cooperation have been identified and Moscow remains India's leading defence and security partner.
In Moscow, Parrikar also made a pitch for the Make in India initiative, urging Russian entities to get involved with India's defence manufacturing industry.
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar raises Pakistan question in Russia, shares concerns on arms sales - The Economic Times
@MastanKhan @nair @GURU DUTT @MilSpec @Horus
Here we ago India starts crying once again for GOD sake our neighbors please GROW UP