Russia Trashes 'Fake Reports' Of Closer Ties With Pakistan, Slams Efforts To Harm India Relations

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 17:09 IST

Multiple reports in Pakistani media claimed that Islamabad and Moscow had signed a multibillion-dollar agreement to jointly establish a steel mill in Karachi.

A Russian official slammed Pakistan's effort to derail ties with India. (Reuters/File Image)

Russia on Friday rejected “fake reports" claiming that it was enhancing economic ties with Pakistan, particularly by jointly setting up steel mills in Karachi. A Russian government official called it an attempt to derail strong relations between India and Russia.

This follows multiple reports in Pakistani media claiming that Islamabad and Moscow are seeking to revive Cold War-era cooperation by jointly developing new steel mills to boost industrial collaboration, particularly linked to Pakistan Steel Mills.

According to a report by The Express Tribune, the issue was discussed between Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Special Assistant, Haroon Akhtar Khan, and Moscow’s representative Denis Nazaroof on May 13. “The two officials engaged in extensive talks on the prospect of collaboration and agreed to form a joint working group to facilitate the establishment of a steel mill in Karachi," it added.

The report further claimed that the international community sees Pakistan as a promising investment destination, even though the financially struggling nation continues to rely on bailout packages from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

‘Completely Fabricated’ Reports

Sources in Moscow told news agency IANS that negotiations had indeed taken place on the issue, but slammed reports claiming that a “multibillion-dollar contract" was signed between Russia and Pakistan. They said Pakistan had made another failed attempt to derail the strong and time-tested relations between India and Russia through “completely fabricated" reports.

“An exaggerated news from someone who wants to derail the relationship for a sensational reason," said a senior Russian government official on Friday when asked about his response to Pakistani media reports.

As the Indian Armed Forces successfully retaliated and also inflicted significant losses on Pakistan, the Russian-made air defence missile system S-400 was credited with shooting down several incoming missiles from across the border. The BrahMos cruise missiles jointly developed with Russia also struck several high-profile targets in Pakistan.

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov had lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership while also praising New Delhi for identifying, tracking and punishing the culprits behind the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which resulted in the death of 26 innocent civilians.

“I don’t think there is anybody, anywhere in the world that doubts the credentials of Prime Minister Modi. His strong leadership is steering the country to global prominence. Both India and Russia stand for a multipolar world order without any global power or a group of countries dominating that order," Alipov told IANS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month, where he strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack. Putin conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of innocent lives and expressed full support to India in the fight against terrorism.

(with agency inputs)

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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News world Russia Trashes 'Fake Reports' Of Closer Ties With Pakistan, Slams Efforts To Harm India Relations