Surprising, not at all.
It was expected since the interest was expressed in front of Russia. Strategical interests are evolving and rapidly changing along with geopolitics. One should not forget that money does not matter in every aspect and sometimes it is more about nation interest. If even it has be sponsored by GCC, the speculated Pak-Russia deal, make sense on two basis as 1) pulling Russia away from Iran and 2) forming and aligning with new powers against the old one that too based upon the mess created in M.e.
Let India stretch more to stop Pakistan from buying anything and I can see end results. Let India spend more and more to influence the suppliers. While looking at the same strategy of India, throwing money to influence the suppliers, IMO, lets wait for a bit more and picture will be more clearer than before. It is based upon, what if I can't fight directly, I can force the adversary to stretch more and loose control. NaMO's strategy, the tactics that gave him win in election, all time Anti-Pakistan approach is good enough to push India itself back but would be happening in future, by looking at the current expenditure and reasons planned for costs in future. These strategies of him are becoming embarrassment but we will see in near future and would be proven as well. His stance has proven our point from Kashmir issue rise to interfering in GB and Baluchistan.
IMO, let India lobby more and spend more in Russia. One thing for sure, India has started to worrying about whom to loose and who to choose. Either the west/US or Russia in most. Even India itself expressed that of her influence due to economy/spending on others so lets the stockpile decrease and another phase of the game would be started. Pakistan is not much in very good shape of economy today so we have less to loose in this game because we are not out for wild shopping but played well in manners whereby the rival will be forced to spend more & more by everyday. Even ifffffff we are in a deal of SU-35 with Russia and even iffff India succeeded to lobby by more contracts, we have nothing to loose much in this game as iffff we are allegedly buying SUs from Russia then must have something in pocket that can influence more or could consider any other supplier too but again it depends, ifffff we have. Such interest before Russia is not just Pakistan limited but Russia would have seen the opportunity window this time which says more cash and strategic gain than India alone can offer. And one thing more, Iran showed interest to join CPEC so may understand what is developing here. India has already fired her shot by MMRCA and LEMOA. Russia more closer with Turkey, Pakistan getting closer, CPEC on the horizon and getting attention, China a strong bridge, GCC becoming aware of US doing in M.E and their future in the same contexts that force them to revisit their priorities and all these forced to form a new friendship circle.
Also, we must expect a new wave of brigade for advocacy of NaMO Ji, him being evolved better than before and is not that much anti-Pakistan anymore which is more of face saving tactics to avoid the laugh based upon failed strategies against a sovereign nation. I am sure we are not going to buy the same this time but opportunity would be availed in time so lets wait a bit more.
Our approach to Russia is not just limited to us but it will be impacting in long term and many more relations for Russia with GCC etc through Pakistan. We would have paved many other ways for us long ago and would have been enjoying today rather than starting today if we had an effective diplomatic front and competent/capable people in civilian office. It is true that Pakistan was cut-off from top suppliers and one of the reasons is, failed diplomacy and short-sighting though looks like we learnt through a bit hard way but now are on right track and need sometime to gain pace.