Regional realignment

Pakistan-Russia developments will be watched closely in India, US as both hold significance to regional occurrences.

Are we looking at the evolution of a major regional realignment, a change in alliances, or maybe a difference in approach? It is too early to say but certainly, the visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Islamabad marks a change from the divide of the Cold War years when the camps headed by the US and the former USSR were clearly delineated with virtually no instances in which this harshly drawn line — or iron barrier — was crossed. That barrier today seems to be melting. Pakistan has found somewhat unexpected support from Moscow against drone attacks conducted by the US-led Nato forces in tribal areas. Foreign Minister Lavrov has not minced words in describing such territorial invasions as unacceptable. The two nations, each with a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, also appear eager to work out a strategy for the future of that country, after the US pullout in 2014. It is also of significance that as Mr Lavrov landed in Islamabad, Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani began talks in Moscow with his military counterparts. The two nations seem eager to reach a closer relationship, with Russia’s top diplomat making it clear that President Vladimir Putin, whose scheduled visit had been postponed abruptly, would be making a trip to Pakistan soon.

The developments now unfolding will be watched closely in both New Delhi and Washington. They hold significance to the occurrences in the region and for key events which affect the globe. It is to be seen how the warming up of relations between the two countries separated in the past by a wall of ice will be received. Certainly, for Pakistan, things seem to have taken a positive turn; it seems to be close to friendship with a nation from where help in the past had seemed unlikely. There is much scope for cooperation in various sectors and the events we are seeing today may have a very significant impact on the future, with potential outcomes currently looking good for Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2012.