Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is expected to send a message to India through the Russian leadership that he was ready for improving Indo-Pak ties.

The immediate aim of Musharraf's visit to Russia, beginning February 4, could be to send a message to India through Russian leadership that he was ready for a patch up, diplomatic circles in Islamabad said.

"Hopefully, new paths will be defined during President Musharraf's three-day visit to Moscow. As we look at this visit, it will be certainly a defining moment for the two sides," major general Rashid Qureshi, Pakistan's Defence spokesman and press secretary to the President said.

He said emphasis would also be on the overall strategic issues of concern to both countries taking into account the changing geo-strategic realities in the region, in which Russia is a very important player.

"The broad aspects of Russian and Pakistani relations will also come under preview," he told local daily 'The News' in an interview.

PTI