Daily Times

Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Y Dedov Saturday said opening of the Kartarpur corridor for the Sikh pilgrims across the border showed Pakistan’s commitment towards peace in the region.

Speaking at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs on the topic of ‘Russia’s Stabilising Role in South Asia’, the ambassador appreciated the military operations conducted by the Pakistan Army against terrorists present inside its border under Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb.

The Russian ambassador said his country believed in strengthening of relations between Islamabad and Moscow, adding that the ‘Peace Mission 2018’ was a testament to the fact.”Dynamic changes in the region have occurred as on the one hand we have globalization and technology progress while on the other hand we are facing international terrorism, drugs and human trafficking which changes the international landscape so quickly,” he said.

Responding to a question, Dedov said Russia is favour of a democratic Afghanistan.

The ambassador informed the participants that Russia is also a part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and aspired to establish strong trilateral trade with Pakistan and China under it. He expressed the hope that in the near future, social, cultural and economic relations between Russia and Pakistan will further deepen.

Published in Daily Times, December 16^th2018.