WSJ has this article not because of IDEAS importance, but because of the reason that any news about Pak defence has interest in India..
OK.....so now WSJ runs to fulfill India's interests? You guys will never quit this propaganda thing will you? There was no mentioning of India if you read it. The article was published as the IDEAS has become a big regional event. I think any sane media outlet covering world news will see a place in time hosting many Western and Eastern defense and technology organizations and will give it some importance. There are only a few of these events that happen world wide every year.
Why do you think Russia is opening up their defense tech to Pakistan along with many others? Allow me to surprise you, everyone and their dog sitting in the international business knows the economic boom is about to hit Pakistan.
All major projects, infrastructure and power generation, etc, are focused on creating an economic boom, the activity over the next 3-10 years will start at full speed from Western China to Gawader. Then, from Gawader to Central Russian states (Afghan trade agreement is just one example going towards Central Russian states) and beyond to Russia.
Russia will become an alternative oil provider plus another major defense tech provider to Pakistan. What does all this mean??
Well, when you know a country is going to have about $ 10 - 30 Billion uplift in economic activity in the next 3-5 years,.....if you have common sense, you also know that the country in question can easily afford to spend $ 2-4 Billion (or more) on weapons purchases in addition to its current budget (and Pakistan will NEED to, to ensure the safety of its trade routes).
So what would you do if you were another country wanting to seize a big piece of that money pie? You'd start to establish a trust worthy relationship with them BEFORE they hit the economic-high. So when tables turn and the $$ flow into Pakistan, the Pakistani leadership will look at Russia compared to how they look at China, a trust worthy friend than a strategic partner like the US (on and off relationship with legalities).
The Russians have learned from the French. You have hard cash and you can buy their products.....never say no!
So let's say, over JUST 5 years when the economy takes off, if the Russians got $ 10 billions of weapons orders from Pakistan ($ 2 billion each year), it is NOT a bad deal. In fact, $ 10 billion can create millions of jobs and gives a lot of money to the Russians for new R&D.
This is also WHY I have written so much about the need to let the current Pakistani government finish their term. As they are on the way to push the Pakistani economy to where it's never been before. Once the economic boom hits, there is no going back. Pakistan will be a different place altogether compared to how the world sees it today.