Putin says Pakistan is not under China’s direct control

Russian President Vladimir Putin has flatly rejected suggestions that Islamabad was under the direct control of China, saying Pakistan is a large country and it has multifaceted ties with different states, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

Speaking at a press meet with the heads of major global news agencies in Moscow, President Putin while addressing Indian journalist’s concerns regarding Pakistan’s growing dependence on China, outrightly dismissed the notion that Islamabad has become a proxy or is under the direct control of Beijing.

Putin said, "We are well aware of the intricacies of the issues concerning the border between India and Pakistan. I don't think Pakistan is a country that is fully under the control of China. Pakistan is a large country, and it has multi-faceted ties with different countries. They need to take into account the cooperation with China, but everyone is developing relations with China.”

When asked about the complex security dynamics in South Asia, specifically the tightening strategic alliance between Beijing and Islamabad and its direct impact on India, Putin maintained a position of calculated diplomatic equilibrium.

Putin explicitly stated that Moscow has no intention of meddling in the border friction between New Delhi and Beijing. Describing the relationship between India and China as “delicate and multi-faceted,” he expressed absolute confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are both personally determined to resolve their long-standing boundary disputes amicably and peacefully without external mediation.

While acknowledging that it is vital for Islamabad to prioritise its deep cooperation with China, Putin stressed that Russia’s own historical, decades-long partnerships with New Delhi and Beijing grew organically and remain entirely independent of one another.

He reassured that Moscow’s growing synergy with Beijing does not come at India’s expense, reinforcing Russia’s commitment to maintaining a stable balance of power in Asia.

Putin also confirmed that Russia has formally proposed a joint initiative to co-develop and supply its flagship fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57, to the Indian Air Force.

“We proposed to our Indian friends to work together on technology, the fifth-generation technology… we are ready to work with India in this field to supply fighter aircraft,” Putin stated.

VIDEO | Saint Petersburg, Russia: When asked about the relations between India-China-Pakistan, Russian President Vladimir Putin told PTI CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi:

"Of course, we are well aware of the intricacies of the issues concerning the border between India and… pic.twitter.com/aepS2w27Wo

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 4, 2026