Daily Times

A new world order is being drawn up and global orientations are changing. It is time for Pakistan to step up its diplomatic ties to extract the maximum benefits for itself. In the past few years, the growing alliance between Kremlin and Islamabad has been attracting attention. An irritant for Pakistan’s enemies, this alliance has grown from military cooperation to socio-economic exchanges.

Diplomatic and bilateral relations between Pakistan and the Russian Federation were first established on May 1, 1948. Historically, the relationship between Pakistan and the Soviet Union, and later Russia, has been marked by many ups and downs. In the past, there were numerous disturbing issues that affected the status quo for some time, preventing them from managing to have amiable relations based on mutual interests and benefits. Nonetheless, a true diplomatic relationship is always preferred because of geographical proximity, historical linkages and common developmental interests in Asia.

In the last few years, Moscow has emerged as a major stakeholder in South Asian politics. Sometimes, Moscow has even deescalated tensions between the two nuke-armed countries, Pakistan and India, proving its intentions towards peace in the region. During the recent tensions between India and Pakistan that brought them to the brink of war, Moscow offered to be a mediator. This offer was warmly welcomed by Pakistan.

Such closeness between Moscow and Islamabad is creating a nuisance for countries like the USA and India. It all started with military cooperation. Pakistan and Russia also held a joint military exercise from October 21 to November 4, 2018. The drill was called Friendship 2018. It was third in a row of annually held friendship exercise. Prior to that, two drills, in 2016 and 2017, were held in Cherat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia respectively.

Besides skills exchange, arms trade is also happening between the two. Indeed, it is a big deal for Pakistan that Russia has lifted its arms embargo on Pakistan and has started arms trade. Now, military cooperation is diversifying to other areas of cooperation, leading to the strengthening of strategic understanding between Islamabad and Moscow.

Both Pakistan and Russia have played a major role in bringing Taliban to the table. Together, they can put an end to the Afghan misery

Russian deputy foreign minister had openly expressed in 2018 that Moscow had been doing arms dealing with Islamabad. He said that Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism. It solidified Pakistan’s stance. Even Russian foreign minister have said that their country will provide every possible support to Pakistan in order to make it a developed country.

Both the countries have adopted a proactive approach regarding economic co-operation, specifically in the energy sector. What is positive: Pakistan’s offer to Russia in order to become a part of CPEC and Kremlin’s consideration of the proposal, potential to participate and invest in the venture between Islamabad and Beijing.

Vladimir Putin had expressed his support for Pakistan’s membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, following which there have been meetings between Pakistani dignitaries and their Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the SCO summit in UFA in July 2015.

It is well known that Russia is a major stakeholder in the Afghan conflict. Pakistan, an immediate neighbour of Afghanistan, also has interests to watch in Afghanistan. Both Pakistan and Russia have played a major role in bringing Taliban to the table, and together they can put an end to the Afghan misery with effective measures.

It is obvious that Washington has played a major part in the new ‘romance’ between Moscow and Islamabad.

The deceitful polices and animosity of the US brought Russia and Pakistan closer to each other. Both Russia and Pakistan have a strong desire to reduce US influence in South Asia, as it has done nothing for bringing peace in the region, and has rather caused more violence by fragmenting it more.

For years, the US has been influencing Pakistan’s internal affairs, but it is high time that Pakistan realised that Uncle Sam has nothing in his bag but dollar bills. In order to sustain and survive one cannot solely rely on monetary support.

The new friends share the same approach towards stability in South Asia. Results will be much more positive and nurturing if both enhance cooperation with each other. However, that can only happen if irritants like the rivalry of India and the US is properly countered.

The following are some points highlighting the Pakistan-Russia convergence on some mutual issues/interests:

Combating terrorism, extremism, and separatism, Energy crisis in Pakistan and energy gateway for Russia, Pakistan and Russia’s cooperation and collaboration in Afghanistan in the wake of the complete withdrawal of foreign forces, Counter-balancing permanent US military bases in the region, and Maintaining overall strategic balance in the region.

In order to further strengthen ties, Pakistan and Russia still needs to fill in the gaps and draw up designs to institutionalise their ties more.

For instance, a joint working group on counter-terrorism, strategic stability, and an inter-governmental joint commission should be revived and enhanced.

Moreover, people-to-people contacts, defence ties, cultural diplomacy, science and technology, and student exchange programmes should be promoted between the two countries. Pakistan-Russia relations could also further develop with cooperation in the energy sector, oil and gas, telecommunication, space technology, and steel production.

The writer is the founder and executive director of the Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution