Pak-Russia Ties is not a quagmire
November 3, 2017
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PRIMARILY, the relationship with Russia started to improve in post 9/11 period when Pakistan became the front line state in the “war on terror”. In 2002, a major working group named as ‘Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group on Strategic Stability’ was established which was aimed to tackle the probable threats to regional stability which paved the way for further strengthening the mutual ties. On and off exchanges of visits by delegates of both countries kept on supplementing the ties. In 2011, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, publicly supported when Pakistan was struggling to attain the full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It was a kind of break-through in the developing relation of Pakistan and Russia. Various economic agreements were signed and a number of offers were made by Russia for further assistance including technical assistance for the Guddu and Muzafargarh power plants.Thereafter, a fruitful addition in bilateral ties was made by President Zardari by his visit in 2011. In post 9/11 scenario, Pakistan made a positive and major shift in its foreign policy towards Russia which was resulted in a various joint-ventures serving Pakistan tremendously. The major breakthrough was the joint military exercise of Russia and Pakistan which marked a great change in this relationship while opening up the several doors for bond-enhancement on different fronts. Pakistan is following this path more enthusiastically. For instance, Pakistan wants to exert the impression that it is ready to dis-remember the legacy of bitter past containing the Soviet-Afghan war memories. Moreover, it yearns to forge the new relations for mutual benefits of the people and the region. It was a brief overview of erstwhile relationship quagmire of both countries. What is there which is luring Pakistan towards Russia and Russia towards Pakistan should be analyzed comprehensively including the mutual and exclusive benefits that both countries might achieve from each other. Russia is regaining the lost position of post-Soviet-Afghan war and becoming an international player in the world politics. As far as South Asia is concerned, Russia is very well aware of the fact that in the wake of complete withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, Pakistan will only be the crucial player in Afghanistan due to weak governance structures and resurrection of Afghan Taliban. Despite the reality that India has been infiltrated in Afghanistan, existence of Taliban on a greater level cannot be over-looked. For the strategic stability of region and orientation of influence to be compassed, Pakistan can play the key role. This is what led Russia to speed up the advancement of military and economic ties with Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan may get the benefits from this relationship even greater than Russia. In the wake of several geo-strategic and geo-political changes that are taking place in the surroundings of Pakistan, Pakistan finds the requisite to develop the strategic ties with all regional players in which Russia is significantly important. Long-lasting and sustainable political and security settlement of Afghanistan can widely minister Pakistan in order to achieve the internal stability. For, Pakistan is the right next country to Afghanistan adversely affected by the inside conflict of Afghanistan. In the Afghan-scenario, both countries are expected to get mutual strategic benefits in the strengthening ties. Russia is currently a regional and world power, a former superpower and permanent member of United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In the regional context, it is a leading member of SCO.Keeping in view these substantial credentials, Pakistan needs the stronger ties with Russia especially when US seems to looking forward India to play the major role in the region. US seems more inclined towards India despite the fact that Pakistan provided US with huge assistance being the front-line ally against war on terror bearing the myriad loss of armed forces personnel and civilians. Having amicable relations with China on one hand, developing relations with Russia on the other hand, Pakistan can adjust itself with changing dynamics of international relations aiming at getting more benefits from the world in the age of globalization. Geographically, both countries seem to be ineluctable for each other providing the greater margin of economic and strategic partnership. Therefore, Pakistan must take this relationship as much as it can to peaks of heights aiming to achieve the strategic goals in the region. In the changing dynamics of world politics, Russia might be proved beneficial friend of Pakistan and can weightier the voice of Pakistan in international community
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Baber Ali Bhatti
Researcher working with Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad
Blog: Baber Ali Bhatti's Blog
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