Relations with USSR / Russia: The relations with former USSR / Soviet Russia had been very strained since Pakistan's alienation towards the West, specially the USA soon after independence. India took advantage of this and had since very strategic relations with USSR and now Russia. While the Russians always stood by their Indian friends, USA has always backed out of support to Pakistan on a number of occasions. Pakistan's support to the Mujahideen in Afghanistan further strained the relations between the two countries. However, after the demise of the Soviet Russia and ushering in the era of glasnost, there is a new dimension to the Russian outlook towards Pakistan - though a very cautious one. The present government is making all out efforts to befriend wit the Russians, but it seems that it will take much longer than assumed before the relations between Pakistan and Russia can be considered as cordial and friendly.