ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Russia have signed an agreement to further enhance defence cooperation.

An agreement to this effect, was signed during a delegation level meeting between Caretaker Defence Minister Naeem Khalid Lodhi and Russian Deputy Defence Minister Col Gen. Alexander V. Fomin in Rawalpindi today.

Under the agreement, service members of Pakistan can get training in Russian institutions.

The delegation is visiting Pakistan to attend first session of Russia-Pakistan Joint Military Consultative Committee.

The two sides discussed the present status of their bilateral defence relations with the aim to further strengthen, expand and diversify mutual cooperation. JMCC is the highest forum of defence collaboration between Pakistan and Russia.

During the inaugural session of the JMCC, both sides exchanged views on bilateral and major international issues including situation in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

A comprehensive issue based review was also carried out during which the two countries expressed satisfaction on the milestones achieved since the signing of ground breaking Agreement on Defence Cooperation in 2014.

The two sides also held in depth discussions on avenues of future cooperation.