Russian Deputy Defense Minister Meets Pakistani Counterpart - Defense Ministry

Russian Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense Valery Gerasimov met with his Pakistani counterpart, Ikram-ul-Haq, during the Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th April, 2019) Russian Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense Valery Gerasimov met with his Pakistani counterpart, Ikram-ul-Haq, during the Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"In the meeting, the sides discussed topical issues of bilateral military cooperation and expressed mutual intention to continue strengthening ties in the defense field. The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere," the ministry said in its statement.

It also added that Gerasimov positively assessed contacts between the armed forces of the two states, including cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Defense cooperation between Russia and Pakistan has been on the rise. Russia has agreed to train Pakistani officers and has sold attack helicopters to the South Asian country in recent years. The two countries have held two join counter-terror drills since 2014.

The annual MCIS, organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense since 2012, will last until April 25 and will mainly focus on the crucial issues of international security.

In June 2017, Pakistan along with India was granted the status of full SCO member, joining China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The nations cooperate on a number of issues, including economy, security, culture and science.