General Kayani and General Chirkin agreed that the US should come up with a clear roadmap for its pullout plan from Afghanistan. PHOTO: ISPR
The meeting between army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and his Russian counterpart Col General Vladimir V Chirkin at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi came in the backdrop of uncertainty over the future of Afghanistan.
Although both Pakistan and Russia had remained bitter cold war rivals during the former Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, relations between the two countries have shown significant improvement in recent years.
If Afghanistan was the source of tensions between the two countries in the 1980s, it has now become the point of convergence.
Official sources familiar with the meeting of top generals told The Express Tribune that Islamabad and Moscow had unanimity of views on the future of Afghanistan.
According to sources, General Kayani and General Chirkin agreed that the US should come up with a clear roadmap for its pullout plan from Afghanistan.
Both Pakistan and Russia appear not to be in favour of the stationing of US forces in Afghanistan on a permanent basis.
“Their presence can be a source of confrontation and friction in the region,” said a diplomatic source.
According to the source, Russia fears that Afghanistan may slip into the civil war in the absence of a clear roadmap for peace and stability.
The peace process, meant to bring the Afghan Taliban on the negotiating table, is currently deadlocked over differences between the insurgent group and the government of President Hamid Karzai.
A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the two generals discussed the ‘overall security situation in the region’.
“The two discussed matters of mutual interest with emphasis on improving defence cooperation between Russia and Pakistan especially army-to-army relations,” it added.
General Chirkin also attended a wreath laying ceremony at ‘Shuhada Monument’ and was presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army. The Russian general also called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Saff General Khalid Shameem Wynne.
The visit of Russian Army Chief is part of efforts by the two countries to redefine their relations in view of the new regional and global challenges.
Last year, General Kayani undertook a historic trip to Moscow marking the beginning of new phase in their otherwise troubled ties.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2013.
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Rubbish - both have made money off of US presence and likely want the US continued presence in Afghanistan to maintain at least some leverage on the USA. Maybe Pakistan is extending feelers for new arms contractor?
@Muhammad: Every body in the world except the Pakistani audience know where lies the decision making power relating to foreign policy of Pakistan.
Too late but Great step to balance the power and to establish the bi-polarization of power. The neighboring or regional countries must respect each other sovereignty, integrity and look for good relation. The era of occupation has passed decades ago and now this is the era of socio-economic development and regional peace and stability are the primary requirements. Best wishes ahead.
As they say, there are no permanent friends and foes in international relations, but only the national interests. Unfortunately, Pakistani people, politicians, and bureaucracy miss this basic reality and see Pakistan's relations with other countries as something permanently set in stone for once and all on perceived whims of brotherhood or enmity, a human characteristic of lasting emotions of friendship and enmity that usually exist between two individuals. However, this attitude is rather an amateurishly way of conducting state business in this modern world.
It is good to see that this old mentality of permanent friends and foes has started changing. However, one can never be more careful in one's moves considering the other party is also there to watch her national interests, and not trying to use us in order to achieve her objectives without giving us any benefit in return. We must not forget Putin's much hyped visit to Pakistan, which later proved as merely a ploy to warn India and ascertain some multi-billion dollar defense deals before his visit.
I wonder if Kayani briefed the political leadership about his talk with the Russian military chief.
So Russian general came to discuss "Foriegn Policy" with our top soldier! Should this not be something that is dealt by the "Minister for external Affairs" aka Foriegn Minister?
@Sami Khan: Pakistan won't require Russia to end its relationship with India anyway. There are no permanent friends and enemies in international world. China never ended its relationship with India even after the 1962 war and its strong relationship with Pakistan. All Pakistan need from Russia and China, is strong backing on Post-Afghan scenario.and i think all three countries have their mutual interests in someway.
@Sami khan, you are right but their is another dimension of Pakistan-Russia relationship . Russia was our rival in 80's but still helped us heavily ... like Pakistan steel mills, Ordnance factories and like. What US has done? except giving us ca$h which ultimately goes to their own banks through our political lords. Think Pakistan think ... !
why we(pakistanis) are cracking our head on Afghanistan. are we comfortable with our own soil/land?
@Sami Khan: They also are concerned about Chechen militancy with base.in Pakistan and surely have not forgotten Pakistan's role as an agent of US and KSA in the 80s.
Russia will not sacrifice its friendship with India because of Pakistan. relationship with Pakistan will remain low key. Russia is a mystery and its not easy to deal with Russia. its cold and complicated.
Pakistan must balance its relations with regional and global partners. Since the independence, Pakistan has been relying heavily on the West and has put its all eggs into basket, making it more vulnerable to possible exploitation. Having better relations with neighbouring countries and regional powers will help Pakistan and others to fix the mess US has brought to Afghanistan. Regional powers like China, Russia, India, and Pakistan should work together and help out Afghans to rebuild a stable and strong Afghanistan.