ISLAMABAD (TIP): Visiting Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday backed Pakistan’s position on American drone attacks in the country’s tribal regions, saying such strikes violate Islamabad’s “sovereignty and integrity”.
“It is not right to violate the sovereignty and integrity of any state. We fully support Pakistan’s stance,” Lavrow said at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar, who described the strikes as “illegal” and “counter-productive”.

Lavrov’s two-day visit to Islamabad coincides with that of Pakistani army chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani’s trip to Moscow. Observers say the two countries are trying improving ties due to Islamabad’s troubled relationship with the US.
On India-Pakistan ties, Lavrov said that the two countries are capable of resolving issues on their own. “Russia welcomes the efforts of the two countries to resume dialogue and the steps towards confidence building measures.’