ISSI Round Table on Russia-Pak “Relations” & Russia’s history with India – Policies in Eurasia

ISLAMABAD: May 03, 2023 – The Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a Roundtable with H.E. Danila Ganich, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Pakistan, on ‘Commemorating 75^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and Russia.’

The discussion was chaired by Amb. Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI. Participants included: Ms. Sahar Kamran, former Member Senate of Pakistan; Lt. Gen. Asad Durrani (R), Ambassador Nadeem Riyaz, President, IRS; Ambassador Shah Jamal, former Ambassador of Pakistan; Ambassador Tasneem Aslam, former Ambassador of Pakistan and Spokesperson; Major General Muhammad Raza Aizad, DG,ISSRA,NDU; Dr. Tughral Yamin, Senior Research Fellow, IPS; Dr. Farah Naz, Assistant Professor, NUST; Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan, Director, Area Study Centre for China, Russia & CARs; Dr. Asma Naveed, Professor, NUML; Dr. Afia Malik, Research Economist, PIDE; Mr. Ali Salman, Executive Director, PRIME and Research Associates from CASS and IPRI.

Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director CSP, and the research faculty of ISSI also participated in the Roundtable.

In his welcome remarks, DG ISSI Amb. Sohail Mahmood outlined the different phases of Pakistan-Russia relations over the past 75 years – including in the cold war era, the post-cold war years, and the current phase. He underlined that the relationship, currently, was marked by friendship, increased mutual understanding, and growing cooperation across myriad domains. Noting convergent interests across a range of regional and international issues, he observed that the desire for enhanced cooperation was driven by Pakistan’s deepening engagement with the Eurasian region and the imperatives of geo-economics.

During the absorbing interactive session, the deliberations focused on multiple dimensions of Pakistan-Russia relations, which, the participants noted, were marked by cooperation in diverse fields, including energy, security, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts.

In the regional context, developments with regard to Afghanistan, South Asia, Central Asia and regional connectivity were discussed.

The evolving situation with respect to the Ukraine conflict was also reviewed. The prospects of a political settlement and China’s potential role in this context was evaluated. Participants shared their views and assessments.

Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG ISSI, made the concluding remarks.

Comment by Tazeen Akhtar Editor at the Press Release of ISSI :

The press release should have been comprehensive to find and understand what was the stance of the guest ambassador on the topics described above.

Russian Ambassador can clear that former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was informed that Russia is going to invade Ukraine on the day and time when Mr. Khan was in meeting with President Putin?

Ambassador should have been asked or he himself should have shared that “Why Mr. Putin postponed his visit to Pakistan more than a decade ago? Why he did not visit or announce a tour reciprocally ,even when PM of Pakistan had a tour to Russia?

Actually Russia-Pak relations in last at least 7 decades were not relations. It was a tense rope only between the two on which both had been walking.

USSR was natural and close ally of India in 1965 and 1971 wars. USSR is still alleged to be the supporter of India in breaking Pakistan on 16 Dec 1971.

Start of Afghan crisis was the most dreadful time for Pakistan due to reasons created by Russian intervention in Afghanistan. Pakistan is still disturbed and damaged only for the Afghan crisis where USSR was the main player.

Russia made good efforts to give Steel Mills in its bid to neutralize the status but no more is on the record of history from Russian side including energy. Russia announced North South Pipeline construction couple of years ago with no development on the project.

P-to-P exists nowhere in Russia-Pak Relations. It is only G-to-G or a little in B-to-B.

Pakistan is looking towards Central Asia and Eurasia! Yes. But Russia is engaged occupying the lands of small countries there itself or supporting the aggressors and illegal occupant states. Examples Ukraine, Armenia.

USSR left disputes in Central Asian Republic like Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Uzbekistan as well at the time of their independence. Kygyz Tajik are still at daggers drawn after more than 3 decades after their independence. Uzbekistan thanks to its visionary leadership solved the disputes with the neighbors and now heading to a stable and engaged neighborhood.