Russia's largesse

Moscow's nod for Islamabad's membership of BRICS is a leap forward. With Beijing too in the wings, it should be smooth-sailing provided New Delhi resists from throwing a spanner in the works. The quest for multilateralism in a diminishing unipolar world is at the heart of greater cooperation among emerging economies, and BRICS has led from the front in showing the way to the developing states for charting self-reliance in an environment free from intimidation and politics. The reassurance from visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk that his country would not only back Pakistan's stance at the forum, but also help in buoying industrial and agricultural production was a good start in rewriting bilateralism.

Pakistan had formally expressed its desire to be part of BRICS as it is the world's 46th largest economy in terms of GDP, and has a population of 245 million. It can play a cardinal role in development and serenity. Former Senator and Information Minister Mushahid Hussain Syed had formally voiced Pakistan's potential at the Vladivostok moot recently, elucidating that BRICS is the way to go as initiatives such as SCO, BRI and NSTC come to gel the region in connectivity and commerce. Russia's realisation of this potential is appreciated, and one hopes it will prevail over other members of the organisation to push realism at heart and not partisanship as has been the case at other fora. With the SCO summit scheduled in Islamabad next month, it should come as an opportunity to push the envelope of greater regionalism over regression in decision-making.

Russia is looked up in awe by Pakistan as it needs to overcome its energy constraints, and at the same time open new vistas of commercialism. The reinvigoration of Steel Mill in Karachi, and the $2.5 billion Stream Gas pipeline project along with incentives in agrarian-mechanics is a silver-lining as Pakistan struggles to overcome a deficit-laden economy. Renewed cooperation with Moscow is desired as Pakistan balances its foreign policy, and harnesses the pivot of connectivity.