Prospects of Intra-Afghan Dialogue are Bleak – Russia Eager to Invest in Karachi-Lahore Gas Pipelines- Danila V. Ganich

Islamabad; 22 Sep 2020 – Ambassador of Russia Mr. Danila V. Ganich has said that Pakistan is a valued and significant partner for Russia given its role in regional politics, influence in the Muslim world and geostrategic location.

Both Pakistan and Russia have strong reasons for wanting peace and stability in Afghanistan. In this regard, Russia will facilitate any reasonable solution for peace and reconciliation. Unfortunately, prospects for the intra-Afghan dialogue remain bleak for the foreseeable future. Russia, like Pakistan, does not want an arms race in the region and is against an arms race in outer space as well. Russia is eager to invest $1.7 billion in the Karachi-Lahore gas pipeline.

These were some of the thoughts shared by Ambassador at the CASS Conversations with Ambassadors on ‘Pakistan-Russia Relations: Prospects for the Future’ organised by the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies, here in the capital today.

Ambassador Ganich, a seasoned diplomat, in his frank and interactive discussion highlighted that no matter which government or leader has been in power in Pakistan or Russia, relations between the two countries have remained cordial and based on mutual trust. Both maintain close dialogue with each other on a wide range of issues of regional and international importance through relevant consultative mechanisms, especially on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, he shared.

Sharing details about trade between Pakistan and Russia, Ambassador Ganich was of the view that while the volume of trade has been promising at $500 million, trade cooperation has not corresponded to its potential. “The low level of direct commercial ties and insufficient knowledge about each other’s business practices, capabilities and language barriers continue to hamper progress in this much needed area,” the Ambassador lamented.

Ambassador Ganich stressed that Russia intends to increase the number of scholarships offered to Pakistani students since cooperation in this area is of great interest to both states, but the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted this plan. “We intend to promote greater and more mutually beneficial cultural and scientific ties with Pakistan,” he said.

The Ambassador stressed that Russia and Pakistan are on the same page about respecting the sanctity of the sovereignty of states in this multipolar word, and against any steps taken in the guise of humanitarian pretexts.

Talking about the ongoing intra-Afghan talks, Ambassador Ganich remarked that Russia has realized that the Taliban movement is a national movement, no matter how others may try to label it; and the present government does not reflect the aspirations of the Afghan people. Russia, like Pakistan, does not want instability and chaos on its border, but noted that several factors are hampering the current peace process, including upcoming presidential elections in the United States and the desire of the current political dispensation in Kabul wanting to preserve its power and delay peace. “Nothing major is likely to happen until next spring,” he predicted. Moderated by Ms Sitara Noor, Senior Researcher at CASS, the discussion was followed by a candid and open Question/Answer session between Ambassador Ganich and the participants.

Delivering his Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks, President of CASS Air Chief Marshal (R) Kaleem Saadat provided a historical overview of Pakistan’s relationship with Russia and shared that while Pak-Russia ties may have had their ups and downs, they are deeply rooted dating back to the time of the Czars and Khans of Kalat. While discussing Kremlin’s substantive relations with India, especially in the arms sector, Air Chief Marshal Saadat argued that there are certain times in history when one cannot remain on the sidelines. “This is not the time for ideological rigidity or commercial self-interests. Pragmatism, flexibility and the larger interests of humankind must prevail.” He agreed that the West has double standards when it comes to pointing out human rights issues in China, Russia or even Pakistan, but remains silent on graver violations by India in Jammu and Kashmir. President CASS gave credit to Russia for playing its cards well in an often biased and one-sided international world order. He concluded that both Pakistan and Russia need to set their own house in order and undertake internal reforms and patience to see them take effect.