An overexcited Pakistani media had claimed in its reports that Russia was in 'secret talks' with the Nawaz Sharif government on the creation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, on Tuesday, Russia dismissed the reports and said that they were "not true to the facts."
"The Pakistani media reports about secret negotiations between Russia and Pakistan on the implementation of projects as part of the CPEC are not true to the facts. Moscow is not discussing the possibility of joining this project with Islamabad," Russian foreign ministry clarified in a statement.
The statement rejects allusions by the Pakistani media over Russia joining hands with Pakistan and China over a project that India is highly critical as it passes through the unresolved part of Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under Pakistan's occupation.
Pakistani media reports had also claimed that Russian officials had inspected Gwadar port, a key part of the CPEC project. The report claimed that Pakistan 'formally authorised' Russia to join the project after the official requested Pakistani authorities to let his country to be part of the project.
The Russian foreign ministry further said that it intends to strengthen Russia-Pakistan trade and that the economic cooperation it has with Pakistan "has its own inherent value."
"Russian companies are implementing business projects in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, including the planned construction of the North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, on a bilateral basis," it added.
India has already raised its concerns over Moscow's growing defence ties with Pakistan. Russia recently secured a deal from Pakistan to buy Mi-35 attack helicopters. Both the countries also conducted first-ever military drills.
