Russia Dismisses Reports of Major Investment in Pakistan, Reaffirms Strong Ties with India

On May 30, 2025, Russia strongly rejected media claims that it was making multibillion-dollar investments in Pakistan, calling the reports “completely fabricated.” The stories, widely circulated in Pakistani outlets, suggested that Moscow was working closely with Islamabad to set up new steel mills in Karachi—drawing comparisons to the Soviet-backed Pakistan Steel Mills project of the 1970s. However, Russia clarified that no such major agreements have been signed, and any talks that took place were merely exploratory in nature.

The Russian side emphasized that the claims were not only false but appeared to be part of an intentional attempt to stir geopolitical tensions in South Asia, particularly aimed at derailing Russia’s close and strategic partnership with India. Russian officials indicated that they viewed such misinformation as a potential threat to the deep and evolving relationship between Moscow and New Delhi.

Over the past few years, Russia and India have significantly expanded their cooperation, especially in the defence sector. This cooperation was recently on display during Operation Sindoor earlier in May 2025, when Indian forces launched strikes on terror camps across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Russian-made S-400 air defence systems and jointly developed BrahMos missiles played a key role in these operations—further demonstrating the depth of military coordination between the two nations.

Russia’s ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, also publicly backed New Delhi's counter-terrorism initiatives. He praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive leadership and expressed solidarity after the tragic April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Ambassador Alipov highlighted President Vladimir Putin’s continued support for India’s anti-terror operations, and noted that the Russian President's upcoming visit to India would reaffirm the strength of the bilateral relationship.

While there have been routine meetings between Russian and Pakistani officials to explore industrial cooperation, including discussions on possible projects in Karachi, Moscow made it clear that these interactions do not represent any significant economic or strategic shift. According to Russian authorities, no joint working group has been formally established, nor has any large-scale investment agreement been signed.

The incident highlights the delicate balance that Russia maintains in South Asia, but also clearly signals where its priorities lie. Despite engaging with various countries in the region, Russia has once again underlined its unwavering commitment to India—a relationship built on trust, shared strategic goals, and a long history of cooperation.

By swiftly addressing the misleading reports and reaffirming its stance, Russia has sent a clear message: its ties with India remain a top foreign policy priority, and no false narrative will be allowed to interfere with that enduring partnership.