'India shouldn't worry,' says Russia on deepening Pakistan ties; claims Putin to visit

Russia on Monday said New Delhi should t be worried about its relationship with Pakistan but ted that Moscow is committed to developing ties with Islamab as it is a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Deputy Chief of Russian mission Roman Babushkin said Russia's ties with Islamab are "independent" in nature and that his government is mindful of respecting sensitivities of or countries.

'We do t think India should be worried'

"We do t think India should be worried," he said at a media briefing when asked about Russia's military drills with Pakistan as well as tre cooperation. 

"Russia is very cautious when it comes to respecting sensitivities. But at same time, we regard our relationship with Pakistan as independent in nature and we also have bilateral tre and ecomic nda. We are quite committed to develop this relationship furr including from point of view of Pakistan being a partner country in framework of SCO," Babushkin said. "At same time, we have reached vanced-level exercises with India as well," he ded.

"Russia is a trusted partner for India and China, and we feel it is vital to ensure a positive atmosphere for cooperation between two neighbouring Asian giants, including at platforms of SCO, BRICS and RIC," Russian Ambassor to India Nikolay Kudashev said.  SCO is an eight-nation bloc which is largely dominated by Russia and China and is being increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO. India and Pakistan became permanent members of SCO in 2017.

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Putin may visit India in 2021

Meanwhile, Russian President Vlimir Putin, who was earlier scheduled to visit India in late 2020, may visit country during first six months of next year, Nikolay Kudashev said on Monday.

"It became more difficult to maintain contacts due to pandemic. It has affected frequency of face-to-face meetings, but Russian-Indian political and ecomic dialogue has t become less intense. Summits are highest point of dialogue. summit was due to be held in October. re have been large-scale preparations, but it has been decided by mutual agreement to postpone meeting until next year. When will meeting take place? sooner better. I hope we will receive Russian president in India in first half of coming year," Sputnik quoted Kudashev as saying.

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(With ncy inputs)