PM Imran advised ‘deft diplomacy’ during Russia visit

Cabinet colleagues to accompany PM on two-day visit

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to embark on what is dubbed a landmark and historic visit to Russia today (Wednesday) with officials acknowledging that Pakistan needs “deft diplomacy” given the current Ukrainian crisis.

Imran Khan will be the first Pakistani prime minister to undertake a bilateral visit to Moscow in 23 years. The visit is part of efforts by the two sides spanning over a decade to bury their cold-war rivalry and enter into a new era of cooperation.

Russia and Pakistan were in opposite camps during the "Afghan Jihad" though now both have convergence on the way forward for Afghanistan.

The historic visit, however, is likely to be overshadowed by the brewing conflict between Russia and Ukraine that pitted Moscow against the West.

“There is no doubt that the West will closely follow our prime minister’s visit. Every word and statement he makes in Moscow will be scrutinised. That’s where we need deft diplomacy,” commented a senior diplomat while requesting anonymity.

Also read: PM to fly to Moscow tomorrow

The diplomat cautioned that any misstep could have serious backlash for the country.

The debate is raging in Pakistan with some questioning the timing of the visit. But the Foreign Office sources said the visit was planned well in advance before the current crisis. Therefore, it was not wise to postpone or cancel the trip at the last minute.

Nevertheless, the government was advised to tread carefully and was told not to take any steps that may give the impression that Pakistan is taking sides in the highly fluid situation.

Ahead of the prime minister’s visit, the Ukrainian ambassador to Islamabad sought Pakistan’s help to defuse the tension between Moscow and Kyiv. The Ukrainian envoy requested Pakistan’s assistance in case Russia invades Ukraine.

While the relationship between Pakistan and Russia has seen improvement in recent years, Islamabad also has longstanding ties particularly in the defence field with Kyiv.

In what appears to be a balancing act, Pakistan’s ambassador to Kyiv Major General Noel Israel Khokar met Ukrainian first deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzheppar on Monday. The Ukrainian deputy foreign minister in a tweet said Pakistani envoy expressed support for the “sovergnity and territorial integrity” of Ukraine.

Mindful of the sensitivities involved, the Prime Minister told Russian-state owned television network RT on Tuesday that Pakistan hoped for a “peaceful solution” to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Also read: Foreign office confirms PM Imran’s ‘landmark’ trip to Russia

"I am not a believer in military conflicts. I believe the civilised societies resolve the difference through dialogues and countries that rely on military conflicts have not studied history properly," the PM told Russian TV ahead of his departure to Moscow.

PM Imran said he was sure that people in Ukraine and Russia were aware of the consequences of an impending conflict.

Outlining Pakistan’s policy, the prime minister made it clear that Islamabad was opposed to “bloc politics” as it suffered in the past because of this approach.

The Foreign Office in a statement said the prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the members of his cabinet. The bilateral summit will be the highlight of the visit.

“Pakistan and Russia enjoy friendly relations marked by mutual respect, trust and convergence of views on a range of international and regional issues,” read the official handout.

During the Summit meeting, the two leaders will review the entire array of bilateral relations including energy cooperation. They will also have a wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, including Islamophobia and the situation in Afghanistan.

“The visit of the prime minister will contribute to further deepening of the multifaceted Pakistan-Russia bilateral relationship and enhancement of mutual cooperation in diverse fields,” the statement further said.