Russia not delivering any military aircraft to Pak: Sergey Chemezov

Panaji (Goa) [India], Oct. 16 (ANI): The CEO of Russia's ROSTEC Corp, Sergey Chemezov, has said that Moscow has not signed any contracts and has no plans for signing any military-related deals with Pakistan. "We are not delivering any modern aircraft and any military aircraft to Pakistan. We have made deliveries of helicopters, but those are specialised in transport and that contract has been completed," said Chemezov. "No contracts or plans for any other military-related equipment to be delivered to Pakistan," he added. Commenting on Russia- Pakistan joint military exercises, Chemezov said the military exercises held earlier in September this year were directly connected with modernising counter terror operations in Pakistan. He said that the joint military exercises was important so that the nation could be prepared for fight from organisations like the ISIS, which is a global threat and is involved in spreading terrorism. "ISIS is a global terrorist organisation, it is something that is the global danger and doesn't just involve terrorists in the Middle East but also in Russia, terrorism in India as well as Pakistan," he said. "Therefore, joint military exercises are important but it must be noted that (they) were not in any way targeted at India or at any other conflict in the region," he added. Chemezov said that Russia's relationship with India has always remained very strong and fruitful. India and Russia on Saturday signed 16 agreements and three announcements in a number of fields including infrastructure, defence, ship building, science and technology and railways. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Goa. In a joint statement with Putin, Prime Minister Modi said the agreements on manufacturing of Kamov-226T helicopters, construction of frigates, and acquisition and building of other defence platforms are in synergy with India's technology and security priorities. (ANI)