Pakistan and Russia agree to foster ties in multiple sectors: prospects discussed

[Zakii]

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Pakistan and Russia agree to foster ties in multiple sectors: prospects discussed

ISLAMABAD (October 03 2010): Pakistan and Russia have stressed the need to initiate discussion on 'Bilateral Investment Treaty', establish joint investment council and a financial company to strengthen the economic ties existing between the two countries. This was stated by Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) Saleem H. Mandviwalla who is on a week visit to Russia, said a press release received here on Saturday.

Chairman BoI said that the meeting with Russian Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Russian Federation was of vital importance in view of the aforementioned areas. Having acute understanding of the usefulness of working together, the two sides agreed in principle on the prospects for mutual co-operation in investment, trade and businesses.

Mandviwalla said that Inter RAO UES OZSC, leading company in electricity power production, investment, import, export groups, expressed great interest in setting up a plant of 200MW power capacity in Pakistan to meet the current short fall of electricity. In this regard, RAO UES OZSC suggested that electricity power could be transferred/exported through Tajikistan. The projects and business lines discoursed with the company were discussed with VTB for financing so that these projects could be executed without any delay. He said he also met RusAl, world's biggest aluminium producer, which showed interest in exploring aluminium in Pakistan. In Punjab, Khushab is bestowed with extensive aluminium reserves and with the investment, Pakistan can well meet its domestic requirements.

Another meeting with VTB Capital was held in Moscow. VTB Capital is the investment arm of VTB banking Group, an international financial group. Chairman BoI had a detailed discussion about the finance arrangements in acquiring investment in certain areas with immediate investment demands. The bank assured timely finances to Pakistan in the fields of hydro power and other areas of concerns.

Meeting with Gazprom Zarybezhneftgaz for oil and gas exploration in Pakistan also ended with meaningful decisions. Gazprom Zarybezhneftgaz is a leading Russian company, featuring major business lines; geological exploration, production, transportation, storage, processing and marketing of hydrocarbons as well as generation and marketing of heat and electric power. Gazprom purported oil and gas exploration and production, enhancing valuable components extraction from natural gas and boosting advanced processing products output in Pakistan.

Mandviwalla also mentioned his meeting with Tyazhpromexport to enhance the current capacity of Pakistan Steel Mill and transforming it in a profit generating entity. Tyazhpromexport is the principal organisation in building Pak-steel in the Soviet days and has currently shown interest in its expansion/refurbishment.

General Satellite- a telecommunication group gave a detailed presentation on the development of all types of STBs along-with the relevant software, control systems middle-ware (CSMW) for operator functioning, radio electronic equipment for surface mount and three-dimensional wiring, including metal and plastic elements and participation in large scale digital broadcast projects as a system integrator.

They showed great interest to invest and modernise the home TV technology in Pakistan. Chairman BoI said that there was another meeting with Russian business representatives/investors at Embassy Residence to discuss the matters of mutual interests and immediate concerns and issues between the two countries. The purpose of the meeting was to start Pak-Russia investment projects without delay.-PR

[somebozo]

Pakistan natural influence sheds over central asia due to cultural and language similar and landlocked nature of Central Asia with Gawader being the closest port. As long the Russian are willing to grow out of their cold war mentality and do not equate expansionism as their state goal of growth.

[Zakii]

We must expand our export market, bilateral relationships and Pakistani diaspora into Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Russia and Central Asian countries if we are to become or remain as a power in this region.

Russia can be very important strategic partner if we are keeping future in mind

[darkinsky]

we will soon see american flag being replaced by a russian flag in pdf here

while america seems pak as an ally in wot, russians will see us as a potential place for an investment, good move

[Donatello]

Let's ask Russia for Nuclear plants.

[Zakii]

Let's ask Russia for Nuclear plants.

No need to jump too high....Its just a news said by some unknown person to me

Russia will not and cannot afford to lose Indian market...so expect very little trade for now....

There was a rumour about Russia offering nuclear plants to Pakistan couple of years back....reported by one Journalist only and quoted by several newspapers (if i am not wrong) but that is history now

Better don't lose your ground and try to improve your relationships with Russia let alone Nuclear plants or any major major deal.

PS: I see potential in Petroleum & Gas sector and I am hoping some investment from Russian companies in this sector. They will also be interested in mining and finding natural reserves in the country and not to forget the Iran-Pakistan pipeline when they were always interested to invest for that project....... and last but not least....Steel industry can be revived once again with the help of Russian companies/government

We were also in contact with Russian government/companies for building/initiating some infrastructure projects in the country so some investment can be done in these projects too. But forget about thinking Russia offering anything that can upset her relationship with India. Bit of economic ties would be cherry on the cake for now

[saad445566]

You need balls of steel to tackle Russians. They do not bite but they wink...

[somebozo]

Russia will not and cannot afford to lose Indian market...so expect very little trade for now....

in international relations this is a very false prospect that trade or releation with one country should be at behest of other. Remember if Russians are selling civilian nuclear power tech, they are gaining an economic benefit in return. India or any other country for a matter of fact does not reserve right to poke nose in sovereign trade issues. If Russian want to sell they will do it. If such logic worked then we should be seeing Russian going rolling on flames over recent Indian purchases of western military tech. If India at all is going to exert any pressure on Russia for trade of ties with Pakistan it will end up in similar embarrassment it had to face in Washington. On the flip side the Russian would end up appearing at utter fool. Already soviet union has paid the price of heading its relations with Pakistan in contrast to that with India and has emerged as an utter loser of cold war. Nothing could hurt Russian pride more than losing a war without firing a shot.

[Zakii]

in international relations this is a very false prospect that trade or releation with one country should be at behest of other. Remember if Russians are selling civilian nuclear power tech, they are gaining an economic benefit in return. India or any other country for a matter of fact does not reserve right to poke nose in sovereign trade issues. If Russian want to sell they will do it. If such logic worked then we should be seeing Russian going rolling on flames over recent Indian purchases of western military tech. If India at all is going to exert any pressure on Russia for trade of ties with Pakistan it will end up in similar embarrassment it had to face in Washington. On the flip side the Russian would end up appearing at utter fool. Already soviet union has paid the price of heading its relations with Pakistan in contrast to that with India and has emerged as an utter loser of cold war. Nothing could hurt Russian pride more than losing a war without firing a shot.

no actually you misunderstand me,
let me explain in simple words then

Pakistan:
A country with mountain-like debts, poor infrastructure, technology, economy etc cannot buy good relationships with Russia at this stage

When

India:
A country with larger slums than Pakistan, but economically rich government who are buying arms, technology and relationships in CASH.....

Russians got billions dollars worth of trades with India... and India behaving like a baby-boy crying for even a tissue paper sold to Pakistan will cry once again if any mature relationship is developed with both respective countries. They although has sidelined Russians as a sole strategic partner still got Russians in their pocket and are able to confront them on political tables if ever such matter arises. Russians wouldn't mind to keep quite for a country who mostly purchase equipments on loans for the sake of a country who prefer to buy Cash nowadays.

I am not saying this relationship will not improve....The relationship is already been improving now but it is and will remain a very slow pace of improvement. It will take years and years before we can actually talk about Russia offering anything like Nuclear reactors to Pakistan....although they might consider investing something in infrastructure projects and those fields where they can gain most

[Urbanized Greyhound]

Russia 's interest in Pakistan can come if China insists on involving Pakistan in a greater way in SCO.....but Pakistani Internal politics will resist such a step keeping Uncle Sam and his strategic sensitivities in mind......Russia is not U.S.S.R and as of the current scenario has no role in Afghanistan or even in surrounding areas....As far as the central Asian republics are concerned Russian influence there purely on ethnically considerations ( Ujbek, Tajik ,Kyrgr populace)....far outweights any religious connect provided by Pak.....so it is no factor either.....

The only feasible scenario of any meaningful collaboration can be in the Nuclear Field where Russia might be another source of Cheap nuclear fuel and facilities ....similar to the role they play in Iran....but as some of the members point out ......Judging by the size and scope of Indian collaboration this is very unlikely to happen any time soon.....

[karan.1970]

Russians got billions dollars worth of trades with India... and India behaving like a baby-boy crying for even a tissue paper sold to Pakistan will cry once again if any mature relationship is developed with both respective countries.

Not surprised seeing this onthis forum. Surely surprised at this coming from you.

[pankaj agrawal]

Russia may offer strategic technologies

Russia may offer India strategic defence technologies to retain dominant position in the Indian crowded weapons market, said a Russian expert.

“Growing international competition for the Indian defence market will push Russia to expand its cooperation with India into new sectors where it has no rivals, such as strategic weapons and technologies,” said Konstantin Makienko of the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST) ahead of the 10th session of the India-Russia intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation.

The IGC commission will meet in New Delhi on October 7 under co-chair of Defence Minister A. K. Antony and his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov.

The Russian expert suggested that the two countries could diversify their defence ties into nuclear submarine technologies despite continuing international restrictions against India.

“India's de-facto joining of the nuclear club makes such restrictions rather pointless.”

In fact, Russia is already helping India acquire nuclear submarine capability. Next March, Russia will hand over an Akula-class attack submarine, Nerpa, to India on a 10-year lease.

Its design has been largely incorporated in India's first indigenously built nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, launched last year.

Cooperation in strategic weapons will be in line with Russia's long-time policy of offering India advanced defence technologies.

“Russia is interested in strengthening India's defence potential without any limitations,” said Mr. Makienko, adding Russia was not prepared to supply China high-end weapons systems that India received.

The fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), which India will build jointly with Russia, is one example of this policy.

“The FGFA programme will enable India to join the exclusive club of nations who have such weapon systems,” he said. “It will give India an overkill capability over China, not to mention Pakistan.”

The FGFA project marks a further shift in Indo-Russian defence ties from a buyer-seller relationship to joint design and construction of new weapons systems.
Top destination

In coming years India will remain number one destination for Russian defence sales, according to the Russian Centre for Analysis of International Weapons Trade (CAIWT). “In 2010-2013 India will account for 54.4 percent of Russian weapons exports estimated at over $15 billion,” the CAIWT said.

The Hindu : News / International : Russia may offer strategic technologies

[Zakii]

Not surprised seeing this onthis forum. Surely surprised at this coming from you.

i know i was bit harsh on this statement ............. but was it not true? - anything that has nothing to do with india from miles miles away......... we still find statements being issued on that and then everybody defending those statements

The words could be wrong but the meaning is correct....that India won't let Russia improve relationships with Pakistan as they can always offer bigger plate of $$$ to Russia

[somebozo]

In coming years India will remain number one destination for Russian defence sales, according to the Russian Centre for Analysis of International Weapons Trade (CAIWT). “In 2010-2013 India will account for 54.4 percent of Russian weapons exports estimated at over $15 billion,” the CAIWT said.

Supposedly the same Institute also said soviet union will win Afghan war, communism will rule the world and North American continent will be sunken with undersea nuclear weapons by peace loving communists as the final solution.

[Bhairava]

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i know i was bit harsh on this statement ............. but was it not true? - anything that has nothing to do with india from miles miles away......... we still find statements being issued on that and then everybody defending those statements

The words could be wrong but the meaning is correct....that India won't let Russia improve relationships with Pakistan as they can always offer bigger plate of $$$ to Russia

Lets for argument sake think that Indian is in fact a cry baby.

But you honestly think is there anything wrong in that.?

US cries when Iran fires missiles with 100 km range .Does that mean Iran the actual; capability to hurt US ?

Russia cries when 10 US interceptor missiles are placed in Poland..Can these 10 missiles take out the 100 s of ICBMs Russia has pointing on America.?

A nation that perceives another nation as its rival will do everything in its power to prevent the rival from becoming stronger.Nothing wrong in that.

Hope you understand this.