RAWALPINDI – In an unprecedent and historic move Russian Deputy DefenceMinister of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Alexander V. Fomin hasinked an agreement with Pakistan Ministry of defence in which Pakistanmilitary troops would be trained in Russian military academies.

He was on a visit to Pakistan along with his delegation has signed anagreement related to providing assistance to Pakistani troops for thefirst time ever.

In a collaborative effort put forth by Russia and Pakistan entitled Russia-Pakistan Joint Military Consultative Committee (JMCC) held from 6th – 7thAugust, Russian delegation was visiting Pakistan on invitation extendedby Secretary Defence Lt. Gen (Retd.) Zamir ul Hassan Shah in which therepresentatives of both countries discussed bilateral relations andavenues of future cooperation.

They also signed the Contract on Admission of Service Members of Pakistanin RF’s Training Institutes.

Prior to the inaugural meeting held on Tuesday at Ministry of DefenceRawalpindi, the visiting dignitary had also called Secretary Defence andDefence Minister of Pakistan. During the phone calls, the two sidesdiscussed present status of mutual defence relations with an aim to furtherstrengthen, expand and diversify joint cooperation.

JMCC is the highest forum of defence collaboration between Pakistan andRussian Federation.

The inaugural session of the JMCC had both sides discuss their views onmajor international issues including situation prevailing in the MiddleEast and Afghanistan. A comprehensive issue based review was also carriedout during which the two countries expressed satisfaction on the milestonesachieved since the signing of ground-breaking Agreement on DefenceCooperation in 2014.

The Russian Deputy Defence Minister is also scheduled to meet ChairmanJoint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the three Service Chiefs during hisvisit.