Opportunities for Pakistan-Russia Ties

Pakistan and Russia have a long and complex history of relations that has evolved over time. But, but in recent years there have been efforts to improve cooperation between the two countries. During the Cold War, Pakistan was a key ally of US, while Russia was aligned with India. As a result, Pakistan and Russia were on opposite sides of many geopolitical issues. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, Pakistan and Russia did engage in some economic and military cooperation. In post-cold war era and following the collapse of Soviet Union, Pakistan and Russia began to explore opportunities for closer ties. In 1996, Russia and Pakistan signed a bilateral investment treaty. In 1998, Russia lifted its arms embargo on Pakistan.

Likewise, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan became a key partner in the US-led war on terror. Russia supported Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and has provided some military equipment to the country. In recent years, there have been efforts to improve relations between Pakistan and Russia. In 2014, senior Russian political delegation visited Pakistan in an effort to further strengthen bilateral ties of both countries. The two countries have also been exploring opportunities for economic cooperation, including in the energy sector.

The bilateral ties between Russia and Pakistan have been improving gradually. Both countries have signed several defense agreements in recent years, including the purchase of Russian military equipment by Pakistan. Pakistan is interested in importing Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and has signed an agreement to do so. The two countries are also exploring the possibility of building a pipeline to transport gas from Russia to Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan have been working to increase bilateral trade, with a goal of reaching $10 billion in trade volume by 2025. In 2021, the two countries signed a Free Trade Agreement that is expected to boost trade and investment.

The two countries have been engaging in high-level diplomatic talks, including visits by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Pakistan. Russia has also expressed support for Pakistan’s efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. Both countries have been promoting cultural and educational exchanges, with Russian universities offering scholarships to Pakistani students and Pakistani students studying in Russia. In addition, the two countries have signed agreements to promote tourism and cultural exchanges.

Both Russia and Pakistan are permanent members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The SCO provides an important platform for Pakistan and Russia to increase cooperation in a variety of areas. In trade and investment, both countries can use the SCO platform to promote trade and investment between the two countries. They can work towards removing barriers to trade, increasing market access, and promoting investment in key sectors. The SCO's Business Council and Interbank Consortium can be used to facilitate economic cooperation. Pakistan and Russia can collaborate in the energy sector through the SCO platform. Russia is a major producer of oil and gas, while Pakistan is a major consumer. The two countries can work towards establishing energy cooperation and exploring opportunities for joint ventures in the energy sector.

The SCO provides an important platform for defense cooperation between two countries. The two countries can use SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to share intelligence and coordinate efforts against terrorism. They can also work towards establishing joint military exercises and training programs. The SCO can also be used to promote cultural ties, which includes promoting cultural exchanges, student exchanges, and tourism. The SCO’s Youth Council can be used to promote youth exchanges between the two countries. Pakistan and Russia can work towards improving regional connectivity through the SCO platform. This can include improving transport links, such as road and rail networks, and promoting regional trade and economic integration. In order to increase cooperation under the SCO platform, Pakistan and Russia will need to engage in sustained and focused dialogue. They will need to identify areas of mutual interest and work towards establishing concrete plans for cooperation. They will also need to address any challenges or obstacles that may arise along the way.

Pakistan and Russia have been working to improve their ties in recent years, and there have been some positive developments in the relationship. However, there are also some challenges and limitations that are impacting the relationship under the current situation.

One of the main challenges to Pakistan-Russia relationship is India. Russia has been a longstanding ally of India, and the two countries have deep economic and military ties. This can make it difficult for Russia to deepen its engagement with Pakistan without upsetting its relationship with India. Another challenging factor in bilateral ties is US. Russia is facing sanctions from US, which can limit its ability to engage with Pakistan and other countries. This can impact Russia’s ability to provide military and economic assistance to Pakistan. Pakistan and Russia have been working to increase economic ties, but progress has been slow. The volume of trade between the two countries is still relatively small, and there are barriers to investment and trade that need to be addressed.

Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in the Pakistan-Russia relationship. The two countries have been working to improve defense ties, with Pakistan purchasing military equipment from Russia and the two countries conducting joint military exercises. They have also been exploring opportunities for economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Both countries have expressed a desire to deepen their relationship, and there is potential for further cooperation in the future.

Improving Pakistan-Russia ties requires sustained effort and a long-term vision for the relationship. Building trust is essential for improving ties between Pakistan and Russia. This can be done through sustained dialogue and regular high-level visits. The two countries should also work towards resolving any issues that may cause mistrust or misunderstandings. Pakistan and Russia have the potential to increase economic ties in a variety of sectors, including energy, agriculture, and technology. Both countries can work towards removing trade barriers and promoting investment in key sectors. They can also explore opportunities for joint ventures and business partnerships. Defense ties between Pakistan and Russia have been improving, and both countries can continue to work towards increasing cooperation in this area. Pakistan can explore options to purchase additional military equipment from Russia. Both states have shared interests in promoting regional stability, particularly in Afghanistan. Both countries can work towards finding a common approach to the issue and coordinating their efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.