The truth about Pakistan’s blossoming friendship with Russia
After years of trouble in Pakistan’s relations with Russia, both countries are now taking cautious steps to build friendly relations. Pakistan views its burgeoning relations with Russia and China as an opportunity to secure greater diplomatic autonomy at a time when it frequently finds itself under diplomatic and financial pressures from the US and international financial institutions.
Diplomatic moves between Pakistan and Russia followed swiftly once Pakistan became a regular member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017.
The most significant Pakistani visit to Russia was that of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the end of April. He met his counterpart in Russia, and they explored ways to expand security relations, cooperation on counter terrorism and the sale of military equipment to Pakistan. General Bajwa’s predecessor, General Raheel Sharif, also visited Russia in 2016.
Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Lt-General Naseer Khan Janjua led a delegation to the 9th National Security Conference in Sochi, Russia, this April. There were bilateral meetings of the Pakistan delegation with Russia’s military authorities who exchanged views and agreed to work together for regional security, countering terrorism and consultation over Afghanistan and related security issues.
Other important visits included that of a Russian business delegation to Karachi in April, following up the Governor of Sindh’s visit to St. Petersburg in October 2017, as well as the 12th meeting of Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group on Strategic Stability, held in Islamabad in March.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Defense Minister visited Moscow last year to take part in international conferences, occasions that were also used for holding bilateral meetings between Pakistan and Russia.
Later this year Pakistan will take part in joint military exercises with Russia and other members of the SCO.
Now, as there are no direct political disputes between Pakistan and Russia, Pakistan feels the need to cultivate Russia by building economic, security and political ties.
Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi
Traditionally Russia — and before 1991 the Soviet Union — maintained very close relations with India. It contributed to India’s industrialization, especially the development of its defense industry. Russia supported India in its disputes with Pakistan, going back to the mid-1950s, when the US and the Soviet Union were engaged in the Cold War.
Pakistan joined the US-sponsored regional security alliances and the Soviet Union joined hands with India to counterbalance America's policy of Soviet containment. It was only from 1965 to 1970 that the Soviet Union adopted a balanced approach on India-Pakistan issues.
Now, as there are no direct political disputes between Pakistan and Russia, Pakistan feels the need to cultivate Russia by building economic, security and political ties. Pakistan hopes that this will moderate Russia’s pro-India posture in South Asia.
Russia also gains by cultivating good relations with Pakistan. The new policy reduces Russian reliance on India for pursuing its South Asian agenda. As India has expanded its relations with the US over the last ten years, Russia wants to demonstrate that it also has options.
A major Pakistan interest is to obtain military equipment and weapons from Russia. In 1968-69 the Soviet Union gave Pakistan helicopters, communication and transport equipment and small weapons. In 2017, Pakistan got some helicopters and communication equipment from Russia. This year, Pakistan has discussed buying more Mi-35 helicopters, communication and transport equipment, as well as weapons.
Russia seeks Pakistan’s cooperation to contain the activities of Daesh in Afghanistan, so that its influence does not spillover to Central Asian states, and the Muslim population in Russia.
It also wants Pakistan to exercise its influence to convince the Afghan Taliban to enter dialogue with the Kabul government. In fact, Russia, China and Pakistan consult one another more frequently now over terrorism, peace and stability in the region, especially in Afghanistan.
There is a wide scope for trade between Russia and Pakistan. However, the two governments and the respective business communities are moving slowing. Consequently, Pakistan-Russia trade is low. Russia has shown interest in building gas pipelines and oil and gas exploration in Pakistan. It has also considered upgrading the Pakistan Steel Mills in Karachi.
While Pakistan smiles on the Russian diplomatic option, it does not view this relationship as a substitute to its multifaceted and, at times, troubled relations with the US. Pakistan is working on the expansion of its diplomatic options, rather than substituting one set of relationships with another.
– Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi is a Pakistan-based political analyst. Twitter: @har132har
