... There are several players, both internal and external, who are seeking to fill the void left by the Americans and their allies. Pakistan, India, Iran, Turkey, China and Russia seem poised to play the next “
great game
” in the so-called “
graveyard of empires
”. Some of these states have a vested interest in the stability of Afghanistan to ensure regional security and foster economic interests as well as mitigate the spread of extremism and narcotics ...
... has always been seemed a little “out there.” However, projects are in the works that could seriously turn the tables. And Russia’s relations with Iran might play a role here.
The idea to build a gas pipeline across South Asia is nothing new. There is already the off-and-on Peace pipeline from Iran to Pakistan and further to India (known as IP Gas), as well as the TAPI gas pipeline (involving Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India). It should be noted that Iran and Turkmenistan, the gas producers for both projects, have already ...
... significant deepening of the SCO’s geopolitical dimension following the accession of India and Pakistan last year, whose leaders first took part in the organization’s activities... ... Organisation has become the world’s largest association, the global nature of which Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to in an
interview
with the China Media Group... ... participants once again confirmed their unfailing support for regulating the situation in Afghanistan exclusively by peaceful means and by the Afghan people themselves, and called...
... but on a new footing. Next in geographical terms would be India – because our relations with India are clear and there are unused opportunities that have been missed in the last 30 years.
How would you characterise the Russia-Pakistan relationship?
Pakistan is an important player, we want to be involved, have a relationship with them. But they are not in the same category as China or India.
Is Russia supporting Taliban in Afghanistan?
We are playing a very complicated game – sometimes we support somebody, sometimes we help somebody else. Taliban is also different. When we saw the US going in with ground troops we were aghast. That was a disaster. Now it’s different ...
... cooperation and interaction in international structures such as the SCO and CSTО (Collective Security Treaty Organization).
Russia’s potential opportunities and risks broadly balance each other out. The importance of the South Asian vector for Russian foreign policy seems set to rise by 2020, due to links with India, Afghanistan and Pakistan and broader security strategy in continental Asia.
References
1
. A strategic global forecast 2030 /IMEMO RAS; edited by A.A.Dynkin. M.: Magister, 2011. p. 472.
2
. India’s International Trade. A Tech Segregated Perspective:
http://cc....
