While Pakistan has slowly been moving towards improving ties with Russia, beginning with President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Moscow in May this year, a reciprocal action from Russia has been delayed, with President Vladimir Putin, set to become the first head of state from that country to ever visit Pakistan, deferring his trip. The quadrilateral summit in Islamabad, featuring Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Russia and, of course, hosts Pakistan, scheduled for October 2 and 3, has also been postponed. No definite reason has been given, though there has been some mention of a security threat, while other engagements on the same days have also been cited.
Islamabad has been making fairly overt attempts to move closer to Russia, possibly to balance out a strained relationship with the US. In this context, the postponement of the visit comes as a setback. Russia, under Putin, is eager to reassert itself as an influential global power. It, therefore, is keen to gain a foothold in Afghanistan once more, through working with Pakistan, which has similar aspirations, notably after the planned US pull-out from the country by 2014. The quadrilateral summit was obviously intended to move towards this goal — a potentially crucial regional development. Pakistan is also looking for new arms providers, in case further cracks damage ties with the US, while Russia — made somewhat anxious by warmed up ties between traditional ally New Delhi and Washington, is seeking new buyers. Russia holds 24 per cent of the world’s arms market compared with 30 per cent by the US.
There are also other areas where closer ties could be beneficial. Russia and the Central Asian Republics could help meet Pakistan’s energy requirements. Reports have also stated that Moscow was willing to help resurrect and expand the Pakistan Steel Mills it had established in Karachi in the 1970s. As Pakistan searches for friends in a time when it is at risk of experiencing growing isolation, it is clear that it could gain a great deal by building a closer relationship with Russia. It will, therefore, be eager to ensure that the postponement of Putin’s visit is not converted into a cancellation.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2012.
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"I don’t know if you think that Pakistani society comprises of just extremists,tribals and savages without any access to internet,computer or education." Looking at what happened on Sep 21, with Rimsha, with Rinkle Kumar and hundreds of other like her, is ongoing with Hazara and Gilgit Shias, enforced disappearances in Balochistan, burning of Churches, textbooks full of hatred, still celebrating sept 6 as defence day when you were the attackers and dreams of ghazwa-e-hind it looks like Pakistani society comprises of mostly of extremists,tribals and savages including those with access to internet,computer or education.
@Polpot:
"Exactly as the reduced thinking resulted in emergence of Bangladesh in 1971"
And it all happened 40 years back.Pakistan got split 24 years after it's birth and now it's more than 4 decades since 1971,and remaining Pakistan is still around.Moreover,that time Pakistan's two wings were far apart and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was surrounded by India from three sides.
Yeah atrocities did take place over there and I don't deny it but in present day Pakistan there are dozens of private channels and media outlets and everyone can access historical archives as well as what's happening anywhere on the planet. For instance Baloch leaders can share their opinions and statements with anyone in Pakistan all thanks to media.I don't know if you think that Pakistani society comprises of just extremists,tribals and savages without any access to internet,computer or education.
@Cautious: Putin's strategy is "if your enemy is making a mistake don't interrupt them".
@Adil: " You can still forecast the death,isolation and destruction of Pakistan,given that hatred sometimes reduces one’s thinking capabilities." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Exactly as the reduced thinking resulted in emergence of Bangladesh in 1971....
@Adil: " Pak-Russia relaionship has more to do with Pakistan Steel Mills and Gas Pipeline and nothing to do with arms and defence" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So Gen Kayani will discuss the Steel Mills in Moscow....
@Adil: " Yeah those Indians who always come and show their hate and venom over here," ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Better than Kasab and gang who comes from the Land of the Pure and spread love...
@Cautious: It does not stop us from mending our ties and improving relationship with other superpowers in the world. I am not sure about your Origin, but in case you are a Pakistani please stop being so apologetic.
" Pakistan is also looking for new arms providers" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Russians generally want to be paid for their arms deliveries...which I am sure will be a new experience for Pakistan.
@ realist and Cautious
Pak-Russia relaionship has more to do with Pakistan Steel Mills and Gas Pipeline and nothing to do with arms and defence.I don't know how come it sounds like a conspiracy to many Indians or affects Indo-Russia relationships? Plus recently Indian government signed some relaxed visa policies with and allowed investments from Pakistan,well I don't know if the present government of Manmoham Singh really thinks about cutting ties and going to war with Pakistan. Yeah those Indians who always come and show their hate and venom over here,they usually don't consult anything beside Times Of India and filthy comments visible over there before forming their opinions,and have been taking advantage of hospitality and decency of Express Tribune. You can still forecast the death,isolation and destruction of Pakistan,given that hatred sometimes reduces one's thinking capabilities.
YES, Newdheli and USA are trying their best to keep pakistan away from Rusia. Pakistan should ask Rusia to build Riko Diq and Tharcoal project.yes Rusia is more reliable supplier of electric power plat includind neuclear plaNt like they supplied to Iran. Iin return Pakistan should allow Rusian navy at Gowadar. Pakistan should makeup the losses had during Soviet Union era. Pakistan made a foolish mistake by paticepating in American sponsored Afghan Soviet war. It is very hard to build trust, pakistan is still puppet of USA.
Russia has a rapidly declining population and not too many friends in the "western world". Although it is armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons, her options are limited.
The one option Russia does not have is to antagonize India.
So I believe that the trip was cancelled because of the Indian lobby in Russia.
USSR was indeed a good friend to India but it never was a sugar daddy. IF Pakistan thinks that it can simply get on Russian payroll to replace the "Masters, not friends' relationship hat US has had with it - it is greatly mistaken.
@Cautious:
Also, there is one more alternative route-through Iran. India has been moving shipments through Chahbahar port to Afghanistan. All the US needs to do is to give contracts to India based companies for transportation from Iran to Afghanistan. One another point is India hosting Hillary Clinton and a huge Iranian trade delegation at the same time in New Delhi. Connect the dots and you get the picture- isolation of Pakistan is on cards post 2014.
Wishful thinking -- Russia is the one who facilitated the alternative NATO supply line, Russia is the one who wants NATO to stay indefinitely in Afghanistan and Russia and the USA are lockstep together on their concern about Islamic extremism. The reality is that neither China nor Russia oppose the USA when it comes to Islamic terrorism and the entire World has concerns that much of that terrorism emanates from Pakistan.