ISLAMABAD: The Pakis tan Navy hailed on Thursday the first visit by a Russian naval chief to Pakistan as historic.

“Admiral Viktor V. Chirkov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation Naval Forces, is on a four-day, first-ever historic official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Asif Sandila,” a navy spokesperson said.

Admiral Chirkov began his visit with meetings with his Pakistani counterpart Admiral Sandila and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Rashad Mehmood.

“Various avenues of cooperation, including conduct of bilateral naval exercises, were discussed,” the spokesperson said about the meetings at the Naval Headquarters.

Chief of the Russian navy was presented a guard of honour on his arrival at the Naval Headquarters and was introduced to principal staff officers.

“This visit is expected to greatly augment cooperation between the two navies,” the spokesperson said.

According to the ISPR, matters relating to mutual cooperation were discussed during Admiral Chirkov’s meeting with Gen Mehmood.

The head of the Russian navy will meet the defence minister and chief of the air staff and also visit the Naval Field Commands in Karachi.

Admiral Chirkov’s visit was preceded by exchange of visits by naval ships.

In October, Pakistan Navy ship Aslat visited the Black Seaport of Novorossiysk. In April two Russian ships visited the Karachi port.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2014