Pak Russia relations
‘Russia to faster cooperation with Pakistan’, Anvar A Makhmutov
Almas Haider Naqvi
In the backdrop of changing geo-political situation in Afghanistan, Russians are evaluating Pakistan with the security threats and eco-political interests in case the relations take a rout back-on-track.
“If security threats are lower than economic and political interest of Russia, then it will develop faster, effective and striving cooperation with Pakistan” said Anvar A. Makhmutov, the Deputy of Committee on International Affairs of State Duma.
While talking to Economic Affairs, he was of the view that Russia today is no more an ideological state but is a pragmatic country having its own interests. Discussing the post-2014 situation in Afghanistan, he said that stability in Afghanistan directly and indirectly will have its impact on Russia; therefore Russia needs to act in this direction very profoundly.
“We have had positive experience with Afghanistan in the days when it was stable and we are pursuing that today as well, for example we met with their politicians and tried to come up with certain policies in building a civilized society in Afghanistan after 2014” he said. “Moreover, Russia in past has trained many experts in Afghanistan who are serving in their respective fields and we are looking forward to continue such activities.”
Commenting on the present challenges that Afghanistan is also facing, he said combating smuggling, drug trafficking are hard-pressing issues for Russia. To curtail this phenomenon, Russia has been pursuing effective strategies but other regional states also have to act along these lines effectively to squeeze this phenomenon because a single country is never a victim when it spreads across borders.
Responding to a question about cultural ties between Pakistan and Russia, Makhmutov said security situation in Pakistan is not only hampering Pak-Russia cultural interaction but it is also affecting economic cooperation in between these two countries. “Russian artists willing to visit Pakistan feel unsafe” he said.
Although the strategic interests of Russia and Pakistan are the same, despite economic depression, Russia is among the developing countries. Russia is in favor of any kind of cooperation with Pakistan, which would be equally beneficial for both the countries, said Makhmutov.
Talking about key challenges for Pak-Russia relations, he said that “I do not expect any direct challenges from Pakistan but its economic component bears the brunt of political instability in the country.”
He said that when political situation in Pakistan was stable, Soviet Union used to build big factories and plants, even now there are opportunities that can be implemented, but business always follows stability.
Recognizing Pakistan’s role in the region, he said that Pakistan holds a very ideal geo-political and strategic location in the region where it can play a very significant role for regional stability and trade cooperation.
Adding further, he said that the concerned authorities must come up with new projects and broad strategies which will not only promote political relations but will also help to strengthen people-to-people contact, economic and scientific cooperation.
Russia has come with new institutions of economic interaction and is actively engaged in the regional and global security and economic institutions like Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Brazil Russia India, China, South Africa (BRICS), and European Union. “BRICS are serious states; they are a driving force in the global economy. I am sure that a lot of states would like to be part of this club” he added.
Stability in Central Asia and former Soviet Union republics is important for Russia and we support them but in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, if there is development and stability, Russia will consider it as its strategic interest, he said.
Talking about the Russian President Putin’s visit to Pakistan in 2011, he said Mr. Putin’s visit was planned but postponed due to unavoidable reasons, ‘‘I am sure it will take place in future” he added.
Almas Haider Naqvi is an Islamabad based Journalist currently pursuing M.phil research on Pak-Russia Rapprochement: Challenges and Prospects with National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Islamabad.
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