Shahid Amin (Former Ambassador)

The improvement in Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations is welcoming one. The exchange of visits at political, military and business level between the two countries is good development.  India is making all out efforts to isolate Pakistan in the world but the ground realities are totally different at the moment. Russia is an important country resources wise and second largest country after the United States having military assets. Although, Russia has also strong relations with the United States but for the last few years India has mainly focused on improving its strategic relations with the United States. Russia has always a balanced attitude towards Indo-Pak disturbance.  The Moscow-Islamabad security relation has become a salient feature of South Asia’s geopolitical environment.

Dr. Muhammad Khan (Defense Analyst)

The meeting of COAS and Commander of Russian Federation Ground Forces Colonel General Oleg Salyukov is vital at the time when the regional situation is critical.  Few days earlier Foreign Minister also visited Moscow. The wide range of common strategic interests shared by Russia and Pakistan also suggest that the alignment is likely to survive for the foreseeable future. Russia is well aware of the geographical location of Pakistan in the region. Russia has also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to maintain strategic stability in South Asia.  It is good development that Pakistan is looking for other options rather than to be totally dependent on the United States. China, Pakistan and Russia could play a dominant role in regional peace and stability and counter the elements trying to destabilize the regional peace.

Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema (IR Expert)

Strong Pakistan-Russia relations are the need of the time. The durability of the Russia-Pakistan alignment can be explained by both countries’ common desire to reduce U.S. influence in South Asia, shared strategies to resolve the war in Afghanistan and adherence to similar normative principles.  Russia is having good relations with India as well and can play a role to reduce Indo-Pakistan tensions.  India wants regional hegemony, but Pakistan is the only hurdle for India in this regard.  Earlier, Pakistan-Russia bilateral cooperation was confined to defense, but now it is expanding to trade, commerce and economy.  The cold war period divisions can be attributed to the distant relationship between Pakistan and Russia.

Dr. A.Z. Hilali (IR Expert)

Pakistan and Russia have had uneasy relations in the past. But both Pakistan and Russia have been looking for new allies. Pakistan and Russia have been trying to open a new chapter in their bilateral relations. Russia played a vital role in making Pakistan a permanent member of SCO. The historical paradigm, which was nonetheless hostile and made them view each other through the prism of the divisions of the Cold War era, has now been left behind.  Russia views Pakistan as an important country in its backyard and very crucial in the Afghan settlement process. India’s close defense ties with the United States have also contributed to this shift in the bilateral relations between Russia and Pakistan. Russia could support Pakistan in its economic development and in defense sector as well.  I am expecting fruitful outcomes of the visit of COAS to Russia. Pakistan and Russia are also on the path to augment military to military cooperation and in this regard many initiatives have been taken.

Abdullah Gul (Defense Analyst)

Besides improving relations on the diplomatic front, Russia and Pakistan are also strengthening economic relations and trade since there is immense room for improvement in these sectors. Pakistan’s military is intensifying security cooperation with Russia. It is a remarkable and historic turnaround for two countries that for many decades considered each other rivals.  The emerging defense co-operation between Pakistan and Russia, the erstwhile Cold War antagonists may seem rather odd in the backdrop of Russia’s 70 year-long close strategic partnership with India, a longstanding adversary of Pakistan.  Russia has also begun the delivery of advanced assault helicopters to Pakistan. Pakistan’s foreign policy is now heading towards right direction. United States has never remained a trustworthy friend of Pakistan.