In a strong rebuttal on May 30, Russia dismissed media reports suggesting that it is strengthening economic collaboration with Pakistan, including the joint establishment of steel mills in Karachi. The Russian government labelled the claims as “fake” and “completely fabricated,” calling them an attempt to undermine the longstanding and strategic partnership between India and Russia.
BIG BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Russia RUBBISHES fake reports on enhanced ties with Pakistan 🔥🔥
Russia slams attempts to derail relationship with India.
Who spread fake news?
"No multibillion dollar contract has been signed between Russia and Pakistan. An exaggerated news from someone… pic.twitter.com/0DbfJV3eTZ
— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) May 30, 2025
Recent reports in the Pakistani press, particularly The Express Tribune, claimed that Moscow and Islamabad were exploring industrial cooperation, with a meeting held on May 13 between Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, and Russian representative Denis Nazaroof. The discussions reportedly included the creation of a joint working group to explore setting up a steel mill in Karachi—a move reminiscent of Soviet involvement in Pakistan’s steel industry in the 1970s. However, sources in Moscow confirmed that while talks have taken place, no formal agreement or multibillion-dollar contract has been signed. A senior Russian official sharply criticised the reports, stating: “An exaggerated news from someone who wants to derail the relationship for a sensational reason.”
Russian officials believe that the circulation of such unverified stories is a deliberate attempt to create a wedge in the deep-rooted India-Russia relationship, especially following India’s recent military operations targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied J&K (PoJK).
During these operations, Russian-made systems such as the S-400 air defence missiles played a critical role in neutralising incoming threats. Additionally, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles—co-developed with Russia and now largely produced in India—were effectively deployed to hit high-value terror targets.
Russia reiterated its support for India in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in May, expressed confidence that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Echoing this sentiment, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov praised India’s decisive leadership and highlighted the shared vision of both nations for a multipolar world order based on equality and mutual respect.
“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. They stand for an equal international relationship. This has been reinstated in the conversation President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Modi had on May 5,” Alipov said on May 28.
The Russian government emphasised that its special and privileged strategic partnership with India remains steadfast and that baseless reports will not influence the historic bilateral ties.
“There is no doubt about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global leadership. Russia and India continue to stand shoulder to shoulder for a balanced and inclusive global order,” said Ambassador Alipov.
President Putin is expected to visit India later this year, further reinforcing the strong diplomatic and strategic bond between the two countries.
