Can become a major concern for India
KARACHI: The relationship between Pakistan and Russia is gaining momentum in the backdrop of post-2014 Afghanistan and the economic needs of both Russia and Pakistan.
In June 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum put forth his intentions to ‘take a page from the United States’ book and pivot east.’ He announced ambitious plans to boost Russia’s economic growth by looking to the Asia-Pacific region rather than to its traditional markets in Europe. Russia, undoubtedly, wants to regain its ‘great power’ status and also wants to checkmate the US influence in the Asian region, how much it will succeed remains to be seen
Russia may not be able to replace the US in Pakistan and substitute it completely in the domains of defence collaboration, economic aid, trade and market for Pakistani goods. It is because there are certain realities that may be difficult to alter despite current situations. Today, the US and the European Union are the largest trading partners of Pakistan and their share in its economic development is too big to dispense with.
India is observing the relationship between Pakistan and Russia closely. It is because the Russian seal is not limited to the defence system of India but also transcends to nuclear reactors, industries and space systems of India. If Pakistan manages to manoeuvre its way into the Russian military-industrial complex, then it would be a major concern for India.
Mahar Abdul Aziz
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2018.
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