KABUL (SW): Analysts have raised concerns over growing military ties between Moscow and Islamabad as a batch of Russian armed forces arrived in Pakistan on Friday for first ever joint military exercises.
Jawid Ghafor, an expert on military affairs told Salam Watandar that Islamabad is trying to change its geopolitical policy in the region after warmth in ties between its rival India and the U.S. Ghafor noted that China and Russia have always wished to strengthen the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the wake of increasing clout of the U.S., hence the recent military exercises by the Pakistani and Russian military can potentially be dangerous for the region.
Kabul Khan Tadbeer, another analyst, is also of the opinion that whenever Pakistan felt pressure internationally, it has sent a signal to the U.S, that Islamabad can switch towards Moscow instead.
Some media reports in the past suggested that Russia was establishing contacts with the Taliban, and the rebels were reportedly using Russian weapons.
Asim Saleem Bajwa, spokesman for the Pakistani Army, has said that the joint military exercises would be held for two weeks. While Russia banned selling weapon to Pakistan during the Cold War, last year it inked an agreement to sell MI 35 helicopters to Pakistan.
END
