New Dimensions in Pak-Russia Relations

Economic rapprochement forced the political forces of both Pakistan and Russia to focus on economic cooperation.

There are no permanent friends and enemies in international politics because friendship and enmity change in accordance with the states' interests which are of primary importance. This is currently pertinent to Pak- Russian relations. Currently, Pak- Russian relations are in the parameter of friendship and commonality of interests. However, the past relations between two countries were clearly marked as that of enmity and antagonism. Different reasons can be given in this regard; for instance, Pakistan, during cold war, aligned with US and as a consequence Soviet Union developed bilateral cordial relations with India; 1960 U-2 incident, 1970 Pakistan role in rapprochement between US and China, Soviet Union role during Indo-Pak war of 1971 and finally the role played by Pakistan during Afghan Jihad 1979. Throughout the 1980s Pakistan remained a front line state for US proxy war and supported Taliban government in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The shortlived bilateral relations did improve during the tenure of Prime Minister Z. A. Bhutto when Soviet Union in 1974 agreed to establish steel mill in Pakistan. Although different attempts were made by the leaders sitting in Islamabad to improve the bilateral ties with Russia but with no major breakthrough in Pak Russia relations.

The recent visits of top leadership ofz both the countries signal the beginning of a new era of rapprochement, friendship and closeness between the two countries. Russia and Pakistan have range of security, economic and political interests to be safeguarded.

Firstly, In the emergent regional security paradigm in south Asia and surrounding regions, Pakistan holds a pivotal position. Without the support and role of Pakistan, international community cannot resolve the Afghan war, prevent future regional conflicts and ensure any economic development. At this stage political forces of all actors volte-face their strategies, policies and relations. Russian Federation currently wanted to build cordial relations with Pakistan and in 2011, Putin supported Pakistani bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and remarked that Pakistan was a very important partner in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia. It is expected that during the visit of President Putin in October, Pakistan would simultaneously host quadrilateral meeting of presidents of Russia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan. Regional issues including terrorism, extremism, security, trade and economic cooperation will also come under discussion between Pakistan and Russia. Pakistan thus acquires a significant place in foreign policy of Russia.

Secondly, both Russia and Pakistan realised the importance of peace and stability not only for their own citizens but for the people of the region and world at large, which in turn promote economic development and long-term economic interdependence and cooperation, essential for regional stability and prosperity.

Only with political interaction and coordination, the issues related to the said goals can be addressed. Terrorism threat is at the top priority for regional states.
Throughout the 1980s Pakistan remained a front line state for US proxy war and supported Taliban government in Afghanistan 1996 to 2001.
When Pakistan joined “Global War on Terrorism” (GWOT), Russia supported Pakistan on all fronts. It also offered counter-terrorism equipment to Pakistan. Russian military Chief with its counter part in Pakistan discussed the possibility of expanding defence ties by holding joint military exercises, exchanging trainees and trainers and selling and buying weapons. However, not only for Russia but for all the international actors the scenario after withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2014 is more important. With NATO forces gone, Russia did not want to repeat the mistakes of 1980s when it and the international community left Afghanistan and power vacuum was filled by Taliban. Also Russia is not in favour of giving US any long-term presence either in Afghanistan or central Asian region. It wanted to preserve its geopolitical dominance and play the Neo Great Game on its own terms and conditions. Russian strategy favours regional actors like China, India, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan to play their role to counter any influence of the US-led west in the region. Out of all these actors Russia knows that Pakistan can play a key role in the Afghan endgame and for safeguarding Russian interests in Afghanistan, south Asia, west Asia, Central Asia and Muslim world.

The rapprochement between Russia and Pakistan can also be seen from the international perspective where Russia does not want US to play the role of sole superpower and is in favour of multi polarity. While improving relations with western Europe, Russia is also reviving its relations with other power centres.



In this scheme, Russia is supporting regional blocs in Middle East, West, south and central Asia and on the road to recovery of relations with those actors who are not in favour of US hegemonic ambitions. Now Russia wanted to sail on the tide of low relations between Washington and Islamabad related to drone attacks, accusation against Pak army and ISI, killing of Osama bin Laden, Salala check post, and issues related to NATO supply lines from Pakistan.

Thirdly, economic rapprochement forced the political forces of both Pakistan and Russia to focus on economic cooperation. Since 2003 Russia economy is growing at the rate of 7% annually, leading natural gas exporter and oil producer with fastest growing economy among G8. The bilateral trade between two countries reached 92 million US dollar in 2003, 411.4 million in 2006, 630 million in 2008 and 400 million in 2009, respectively. Russia is currently financing the mega energy project, CASA-1000, transmitting the power generation from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan; the Russia has provided 500 million US dollars for the CASA-1000 for the power transmission project. In 2011, both countries initiated the work on the framework in the proposed Free Trade Agreement and currency swap arrangement to boost bilateral trade and further strengthen their economic ties. Both are interested to invest in the projects related to energy, investment, air service and agriculture.
Russian Federation currently wanted to build cordial relations with Pakistan and in 2011, Putin supported Pakistani bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and remarked that Pakistan was a very important partner in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia.
These bilateral economic relations were further improved with focus on economic cooperation through increased market access to Pakistani products in Russia and building connectivity in trade and energy sectors will benefit both the countries. Realising the changed economic-cum- geostrategic and political scenarios, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari visited Moscow and emphasised for forgetting the past and arranging for the present to face the future. The future prosperity of the region lay in cooperation and coordination based on equality and mutual respect.



However, there are also irritant factors between the two states like nuclear proliferation, safe havens for the extremists groups in Pakistan and Russia's tilt towards India. In the current global and regional situation, it can be said that new era of Pak-Russia relations has commenced and the position and interests of Pakistan and Russia congregate. Russia wanted to achieve its regional- cum-global goals and for Pakistan it's the way forward towards economic gains, support for counter terrorism efforts, Baluchistan issue and respectable position at regional and international level.

The present century is known as century of Asia. Russia or matter of fact none of the major world powers can ignore Asia. It must be acknowledged that prospects of Pak-Russian relations should be assessed in the light of Russia's regional and international compulsions and and framework. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it must avail the opportunities knocking at its doorstep and must not repeat the past mistakes. Russia can be an important source of energy resources, defense supplies, counter terrorism equipments, technologies and economic development. Islamabad has to give Russia important place in the foreign policy of Pakistan.

Dr Saima Ashraf Kayani