It is not odd that Russian President Putin once rightly pointed out the Pakistan and its necessary role in Muslim World. He viewed the importance Russia attaches to Pakistan in words that “Russia attaches great importance to Pakistan, and this is because of its stipulated role in the Muslim Ummah.” This is the reason there is renaissance of relations between Russia and Pakistan, the relation coming out of old cold war mentality. Although Russo- Pak relations were first established on May 1, 1948, about nine months after the inception of independent and sovereign state of Pakistan. For most of the Cold War, the Soviet Union’s relations with Pakistan have been like a rollercoaster ride during the various periods of continuing cold war. From 1947 to the 1950s, the Soviet Union appreciated generally compact relations with Pakistan when it was under regular citizen control, yet they went eventually provocative not long after the US-supported 1958 military rebellion although endeavors to warm the relations were made after the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. In 1970s, relations were immediately improved and warmed. In any case, during the 1980s, their terms started to fall apart once more, and during the Soviet-Afghan War, Pakistan bore a crucial job conflicting with the Soviet Union by providing military aid to the Mujahideen fighting against Soviets in rugged terrain of Afghanistan. Pakistan is credited for assuming a vital part for partnering and supporting the West in its struggle to contain Soviets. Because of progressing Soviet help to socialist Afghanistan with respect to the Durand Line issue during the last part of the 1970s and 1980s, Pakistan started to help Mujahideen rebels endeavoring to topple the Soviet-upheld socialist system and was later supported by the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Saudi Arabia.
Despite their complex history, it is contended that there are no perpetual companions or adversaries in the International relations, and what remains is the interests of state. Given the tumulus nature of Pak-US relations, Pakistan has tried to diversify its relations across the globe. In such manners, Pakistan and Russia have gone into a commonly advantageous relationship. From the adversaries of the Cold War to companions of today, both Russia and Pakistan have made considerable progress. Russia and Pakistan have warmed up their relations as realities across the globe as well as in region are changing rapidly. In 2014, Russian government lift the ban and permit Pakistan to purchase weapons from its defense industry. The two nations did their first-historically, joint military drills in 2016 despite Indian solicitations to defer because of the supposedly Uri attack. Pakistan and Russia consented to an arrangement for the North-South gas pipeline from Lahore to Karachi and arrived at a value accord by December 2016. Pakistan has additionally conceded Russian request to use newly developed Gwadar Port. In 2019, Russia has also planned to put $14 billion in Pakistan’s energy sector.
Pakistani Ambassador to Russia Shafqat Ali Khan noted in a meeting that the two nations had “sweeping discourse” at different levels. He mentioned “It’s undeniable from our approaches and our explanations that for Pakistan, Russia stays a critical need in our international strategy, and we take extraordinary delight, and we are happy that in the previous twenty years the two nations’ respective relations have gained huge ground.” He also attested to the fact that Russia stayed “a mainstay of worldwide solidness” during a rapidly changing global dynamics.
Alexey Dedov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, states that Pakistan positions high in the Russian international strategy in South Asia. Moscow and Islamabad effectively associate in worldwide associations with our perspectives on the center worldwide issues concurring or being close.”
He added: “Russia appends specific significance to participation with Pakistan in the structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Russia is offering broad help to Islamabad in turning its spectator status to an undeniable participation.”
All things considered, Russia is excited about taking an interest in gas pipelines, power, and other energy ventures. Besides, the two nations are coordinating n peace in Afghanistan as Moscow effectively draws in with Islamabad. With India inclining towards the US and joining her camp against Chinese, it is nevertheless normal for Pakistan to redo her discretionary needs. With Russia and Pakistan on one page, the blend will assume a more decisive function in international affairs. The thin however significant union in Afghanistan is clearing a path for more noteworthy ties between the two nations. The improvement of useful relations among Russia and Pakistan is a significant factor in guaranteeing stability and security.
Author: Sana Fatima
About Author: Sana Fatima is student of BS International Relations from National University of Modern Languages. She has keen interest in European Politics.
Note: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Pakistan Strategic Forum.
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