CURRENT DEVELOPMENT IN PAK-RUSSIA

RELATIONS – ITS IMPACT ON REGIONAL &

1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………… 3

2. DEVELOPMENT IN PAK-RUSSIA’S RELATION……………. 4

3. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………. 8

4. REFERENCES…………………………………………………………. 10

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 INTRODUCTION
FOREIGN RELATIONS AND FOREIGN POLICIES:

Foreign Relation is the word, which is used to refer relation between countries, on the other
hand Foreign Policy is the guide which shows the activities and relationship between state and other
countries.

PAKISTAN AND RUSSIA:

Pakistan’s and Russia’s relations are not quite constant. When Pakistan was formed its
relations with Soviet Union was not bad. Their first diplomatic and bilateral relations was established
in 1948. From 1958 Pakistan’s and Soviet Union Relation started to become unstable. From 1960
their relations started to stabilize again. But when Soviet-Afghan war was started, and Pakistan aided
America so that they can help Afghanistan to win this war their relations again destabilized. Not only
that Soviet Union was breakdown in to smaller but many other countries like Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan
and etc. The left part of Soviet Union became todays Russia.

As every relations change when time passes Russia’s and Pakistan’s relations also changed.
Floods of 2010 in Pakistan destroyed a lot of lives but after these floods Russia aided Pakistan for the
sake of humanity. The trading relation of Pakistan and Russia has also been stabilized. Russia
Imports a bulk of edible items from Pakistan. The bilateral trade between Pakistan and Russia was
about $381 billion in 2015. In 2016 Russia sand Pakistan signed on North-South gas pipeline
agreement. In this agreement a pipeline will be placed from Lahore to Karachi for sharing gas.
Pakistan has also allowed Russia to access to the warm water port in Gwadar port. 1
During the issue of Durand line in 1980s USSR support communist Afghanistan and Pakistan
support mujahideen rebels to overthrow the Soviet from Afghanistan.
In 1971 indo-Pak war, indo-Soviet treaty of friendship and cooperation encourage India
invasion of East Pakistan.
Pakistan support anti-Soviet Afghan freedom fighters during the 1979 Soviet War in
Afghanistan, has strained Russian and Pakistan political relation. in 1980s Pakistan began aligning
with the United States of America and happily joined the U.S Cold War era defense pacts SEATO
and CENTO. In 1989 the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan, and the collapse of the Soviet
Union in 1991. Pakistan played key role in withdrawal of USSR from Afghanistan.
When Pakistan denounced the Taliban and joined the NATO to hunt jihadist organization and
al-Qaeda this decision of Pakistan to join the international struggle against terrorism has led to
Russian-Pakistan relations more improved. Russia also play an important role to ease off the nuclear
2001 Indo-Pakistan tension.

1
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 In 2003, Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf visited the krelin on an invitation from
the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and then Russian Prime minister, Mikhail Fradkov’s visit to
Pakistan in 2007.

DEVELOPMENT IN PAK-RUSSIA’S RELATION

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT:

Pakistan and Russia are countries with a long History dating before the independence of
Pakistan when the British ruled over the Sub Continent of India. The Russian wanted to have a
control over Afghanistan
But the British always kept them at bay. USSR was formed in December 30, 1922 as a result
of World War One. By the end of World War 2, there were two super powers, United States of
America and the USSR. These two nations were made under different circumstances by people of
different beliefs. United States of America followed the capitalist system and the USSR followed the
communist system. The communist system runs one the idea of creating a country under a
centralized unitary government. Whereas the capitalist system runs one the ideal of a federal system
where the power is distributed among the people. Both the super powers wanted to show that their
system was the best as they wanted influence the smaller countries of the world. This escalated to a
period where the super powers could not go to war directly as they both had large militaries and
nuclear weapons the war would have caused massive chaos in the world.
So, they decided to go to spy on each other and cause espionage in others countries. This
period is called the Cold War or the fourth generational war. At the time of Pakistan’s independence
both India and Pakistan wanted the support of the super powers to be recognized. The Indians
contacted the Russians as they had a socialist ideology whereas the where the Pakistanis contacted
and established relations with America due to a Democratic ideology. Pakistan as the partner of the
Americans supported the Capitalism and India supported the Russians as such America became
Pakistan’s supplier of weapons and technology as Russia became for India. In 1971 Bangladesh
wanted freedom from Pakistan. And this dream was fulfilled by the Indians with the help of USSR.
Pakistan was split into two nations. By the end of Ayub Khan’s era Pakistan realized that the
American cannot provide us enough support to carry on so when Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto arrived and
wanted Pakistan to Form good relations with the Muslim world everyone agreed. As Bhutto had a
Socialist ideology the Americans wanted him gone. Due to this Socialist ideology and American anger
the Soviets wanted to have good relations with Pakistan and during this time Pakistan and USSR did
many projects together like the steel mill project The Soviets planted a steel mill in Pakistan and
many other projects.2

2
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Russia_Relations_Lost_Opportunities_and_Future_Options/link/5e7b8fa4a6fdcc139c017910/download

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 But After Bhutto’s assassination, General Zia Ul Haq wanted to avenge Pakistan’s defeat by
the hands of the soviets so he started Afghan Jihad in 1979 against the USSR to defend the nation
from the With the help of the Americans and the operation was called Operation Tupac. During this
time the Americans wanted to push Pakistan to stop its nuclear program and get rid of its Dictatorship
but it wanted the help of Pakistan in defeating the USSR. When the war was over the Americans
place economic sanctions on Pakistan and gained Indian friendship. This resulted in Pakistan moving
away from America and going towards China.

CURRENT SHIFT IN PAKISTAN’S FOREIGN POLICY:

Pakistan’s current Foreign Policy is based on the principles of neutrality. Pakistan has faced
many wars and conflicts. Many of those wars and conflicts were because Pakistan took sides in other
people’s conflicts that is why Pakistan is facing many crises today. That is the reason why Pakistan
has decided not to take part in other conflicts and has decided to make good peaceful relations with
its neighbors and is trying to focus its attention towards economy. Pakistan currently has very good
relations with China and both nations are involved in many projects part of the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC). In the 21st Century Pakistan has come closer to the Eastern countries
like Russia and China. Pakistan has conducted many joint military exercises with Russian and
Chinese Militaries. Pakistan has also bought many Russian made military equipment like the engine
in side Pakistan’s main jet fighter is Russian made. Also, Pakistan’s main battle rifle has become the
Russian made AK-47. In the Economic sector, TatNeft, a Russian oil and gas company has made a
decision to find natural gas in Pakistan. Pakistan after large number of economic sanctions and years
of in fighting is making the decision to try and make good relations with the Russians.

BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF THIS RELATION:

Pakistan’s shift towards these eastern nations has many benefits and many drawbacks.
Pakistan is trying to be a neutral nation after taking sides this will give Pakistan some breathing space
as Pakistan is refusing to be a part of the conflicts of the two giants. Some benefits of this relationship
are:3
1. ECONOMY

Pakistan is going to gain more allies. Pakistan will be able to do more business and will have
the ability to stand on its feet and take decisions because if Pakistan does not support the super
power nation it is backing in its wars that super power nation can place many sanctions and Force the
country to take side this results in Pakistan not having Economic sovereignty. But if Pakistan is
neutral and has relations with both sides the reason for the economic sanction is going to become
irrelevant and the super power cannot force Pakistan to do anything.

3
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Russia_Relations_Lost_Opportunities_and_Future_Options/link/5e7b8fa4a6fdcc139c017910/download

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2. SOVEREIGNTY

Pakistan is not going to be dependent on just one or two nations for help Pakistan will have the
help from many sides. Pakistan will be able to gain support from many nations as it will not be
involved with any other nation’s conflict and will have complete sovereignty.

3. SUPPORT AND DOMINANCY

DRAWBACKS OF PAKISTAN - RUSSIA RELATION:

Following are some of the expected drawbacks of this current relation between Pakistan and Russia:

1. Pakistan may face loss of interactions with the other countries who don’t have sound relation with
Russia. This can include stop of trade with those countries etc. Hence this is not a good stand for
Pakistan.
2. The tensions between Pakistan and India can increase more because of the strengthen relation.
This is because Pakistan will be having advantage with this, and the sense of enviousness may
rise from the Indian side. India can then play any tactic which can disrupt this relation.
3. Pakistan’s relation with China can be disturbed. Because Pakistan has the project of CPEC
operating in the country, and Russia’s interference can create the disturbance between them. 4

4
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340165623_Pak-
Russia_Relations_Lost_Opportunities_and_Future_Options/link/5e7b8fa4a6fdcc139c017910/download

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 REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL POSITION OF PAKISTAN
Pakistan, will be benefitted, with significantly by cultural and educational exchange. There will be a
massive increase in Pakistan’s economy as Russia will get an access of Indian Ocean from where he
can do trading and shipping. CPEC will be utilized in this case.
Russia will establish their institutions in Pakistan. This will enhance the youth to get information
regarding Russia and this will enhance Pakistan’s reputation.
Pakistan will be benefitted internationally as many countries have good relations with Russia and can
have trade with Pakistan.

Regionally Pakistan will be having great times with nuclear proficiency is yet another domain
especially the Nuclear Weapons States (NWS). Russia is the second-largest and a responsible NWS
in the world, can contribute a great deal in establishing the nuclear proliferation in the world and
encourage the use of peaceful use of nuclear energy. Hence, Pakistan’s nuclear proficiency will be
positively affected too.

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 CONCLUSION

In the end we conclude that the foreign policy of Pakistan. The trends in Pakistan’s foreign
policy noted here brings one to the conclusion that while Pakistan’s geopolitical situation has given it
certain advantages, its inability to control terrorism emanating from its soil has earned it the alienation
of some major powers and the antipathy of its neighbors. It was Pakistan’s strategic location which
led the US to rope it as a member of its alliance during the Cold War days and continue to rely on it to
be the war against terrorism in Afghanistan. Again, it was because of its geographical location that
China found it useful to cultivate it as a countervailing force against India. But Pakistan became a
prisoner of its own excessive dependence on militant Islam as an instrument of its foreign policy,
which prevented it from taking credible action against the Afghan Taliban operating from its territory.
This led to disillusionment of the US with Pakistan, even though it continues to rely on Pakistan for
certain limited purposes like peace talks with the Taliban. As far as China is concerned, there is
considerable degree of romanticism in its relationship with Pakistan. China hopes that Pakistan’s dire
need to countervail India with the help of China and to have a substitute for US as a source of
economic and military aid. While this “higher than the mountains” friendship may seem tempting in
the current circumstances and may even endure for a decade or two, it is likely to cut into Pakistan’s
sense of self-respect, sovereignty and strategic autonomy anytime in the future.
There is no doubt that Russia has entered as a new player in Pakistan’s foreign policy
structure with promises of defense cooperation and convergence of approach in the Afghanistan
peace process. But Pakistan must also realize that when leading global players like the US, China
and Russia enter a strategically important but a highly conflicted region like, they have their own
objectives to achieve. The interplay of their interests is more likely to make the entire region an object
of their long-term competitive presence, rather than serving Pakistan’s interests.
Pakistan’s peace overtures to Afghanistan will depend for their success on the outcome of the
settlement between the Afghan Government, the Taliban, and the US and to some extent, China and
Russia. The Afghan Government is not an independent actor because of its highly limited military and
economic capability and excessive dependence on foreign forces. Therefore, Pakistan will not find it
easy to normalize its relations with Afghanistan until a satisfactory peace settlement is arrived at,
which will take time because of sharply conflicting interests of the parties involved.
As far as Pakistan’s attitude towards India is concerned, there is no genuine step being taken which
would give hope that India’s demand for credible action against terrorists operating from Pakistan
would be satisfactorily met. India’s policy in the last three years has shown that it is not in a hurry to
hold a dialogue with Pakistan unless there is any forward movement on its part. Dialogue for the sake
of dialogue makes no sense. And in a situation when Pakistani militant groups have been
mainstreamed to enable them to have a greater voice in Pakistan’s power structure, there is no hope
for the betterment of relation between India and Pakistan.
Since form all of the aspects like historical image, draw backs and the current situation, a conclusion
about the international and all the other positions of Pakistan in current scenario can be made.

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From the historical era, Pakistan votes in the cold war makes the western bloc heavy and soviet
losses in this matter. This support makes the Soviet Union as a hidden enemy because there were
two powers at that time fighting for their influence, in this manner both side wanted the support of
multi kind and soviet unison losses the vote form newly builder Pakistan. In the very beginning the
foreign affairs with the soviet is not too strong as compare to present time became of the interference
of the cold war as describe above. For making strong international affairs there is a need of
cooperation, projects, investments and the main important is making friendship at international level.
these type of need with that time soviet were not in good progress, also the ideology of both nations
is completely different although it is still different at present time but there is shift in the policy maker`s
mind that by making good retains with adjacent nations will result in good and better economic graph.
Now going toward the current scenario of foreign policy of Pakistan, Pakistan have created strong
relations with strong nations of the world like china and United States and the policy with Russia is
also in good progress as describe above. Some policies that can never be change and still in the
page is sovereignty, Pakistan had never done compromise with its freedom and it will never because
the freedom for every nation comes at first page it can never be ignore.5 There are views of Quaid e
Azam about the foreign policy of Pakistan:
“Our policy is one among friendliness and good-will towards all the nations of the planet. We
don't cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation.”

5
https://www.pbc.org.pk/research/country-series-the-russian-
federation/#:~:text=Bilateral%20trade%20between%20Pakistan%20and,)%2C%20Edible%20vegetables%20and%2
0Cereals

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 REFERENCES

https://www.pbc.org.pk/research/country-series-the-russian-
federation/#:~:text=Bilateral%20trade%20between%20Pakistan%20and,)%2C%20
Edible%20vegetables%20and%20Cereals

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340165623_Pak-
Russia_Relations_Lost_Opportunities_and_Future_Options/link/5e7b8fa4a6fdcc139
c017910/download

http://www.idsa.in/

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