In terms of politics and economics it is for PML to create incentives, offers and investments. Indeed there is no interest from anybody to do business with PK. Only Chinese and Saudis invest solely for political interests and not economics.

In Diplomacy or Diplomatic Terms, No One Uses the term "Lack of Substance" as a pretext to prevent a Country's leader to Visit a Friendly Country!!.

Great factual comment. It means unlike China, Russia is not going to give you a dime. Any closeness to Pakistan means annoying India which has been golden hen for Russia. Coming closer to Pakistan have many other perils too including Islamic terrorism. See what is happening in Turkey.

Its all about Business for rest of the World except Pakistanis who try to score points with Neighbours by inviting big names.

Its due time for Pakistan and Russia to cooperate with each other economically and militarily. Both countries can benefit greatly from each other.

Russia is not interested in Saudi supporters.

Pak should start good relations with its neighbors rather than sauds and Us.

Obama, Putin, Tony (Australia), Shinzo Abe (japan), Angela Merkel, David Cameroon, Nichols Sarzai are some of the world leaders who visited India last year.

Future course - All Islamic countries one side, All Christians other side, Rest all will be bridge / link for mediation.

Russia should play a positive role in normalizing Pak-India relations.

South Asia deserves peace. Its Russia who can help it that case.

More efforts are required to remove the dent and have good relations with Russia.

Recent months Russian president Vladimir Putin and Russia re-emerged as major global player.

Pakistan-Russia relation might not possible because Pakistan is in groups who are critical of Putin...

We need to develop good relations with Russians and Iran , but not at the expense of others. Diplomacy is to be good with all, and keep national security and strategy above all. We should play wise... India and Pakistan are both used by the super powers. Better would be if we both amicably sort out our issues and become good friendly neighbors.

Diplomacy is an art as it is key to maintain good and effective relationship with all kind of countries irrespective of Geo political situations. India has managed that with both Saudi, Iran,Isreal and US and Russia, China and Japan. Same cannot be said of Pakistan

probably Russia does not see much potential due too much space occupied by China in Pakistan trade and commerce. Pakistan will need to put more efforts to convince both at same time.

Why should Putin come when Pakistan is busy hosting NATO and US Troops in Afghanistan.

Yes, head of the states do not visit other countries just to try their local cuisine :)

they russains are sincere friends and they depends Iran for 35 years

they do things with heart even business

It is critical for Pakistan and Russia to improve relations swiftly and strengthen SCO

@Desi Dimag But we are just their supporters by coercion and not by will.

I think Pakistan should build strong relationship with Russia. I hope we realize the wrong turns we have taken in our Foreign Policy in past.

With the emergence of Trump as the frontrunner for the US presidency, I believe that Pakistan should anticipate some hostility in relations with US if he gets elected. They should plan for the likely possibility and look to develop some positive relations with Russia soon. Russia has again become a global player and would continue to establish a footprint in the future global politics. Our leaders, or so they call themselves, should be a bit far-sighted in their planning.

Russians will be practical. Pakistan has been in the US corner during the Afghan Wars. Must of that time was against the USSR. So why would they be friendly all of a sudden?

Pakistan need to do their best to make good Ties with Russia

Of course we know not and keep inviting ourselves to countries but the world is a more sensible place than Pakistan.

Doubt Russian President Putin, will ever visit Pakistan.

If Russia will supply arms to Pakistan then they would loose a big customer like India. Russian arm's companies are getting more money from India every year than whole defense budget of Pakistan.

India on its way to do business on terms of indigenous, no more imports after a decade. Russians know they need orders from other sources to survive in upgrade and cover heavy costs as their economy will no more be boosting. Well safe business wish for Pakistan as the business of ball game will happen soon, keeping everyone happy won't happen if Pakistan joins India for development of the region.

Its USA which plays double roles, Russia will always remain India's 'Best Friend'. Long live Russia

russia is pageboy of china.china has given access to russia through cepec to warm waters,a long time wish of CAZERS .remember a railroad has been established between moscow and kashgar province from where cepec starts.Putin is expected in pakistan before june this year.Obama is expected before end of his presidency, which is quite evident from the importance given to advisor of pm pakistan(not full FM) by secretary of state.

With RUssian raw material and Pakistani technological, scientific capabilities, both can change the global economic and military paradigm.Putin will visit if 25-30 Billion $ worth deals are to be signed. Let China make the down payment with its cash reserves.

@Vivek (Indore) In principle nobody is best or worst friend, each country is looking after its own strategic benefits nothing else.

What a disaster for Pakistan , president like Putin cant visit Pakistan because we dont know how to get more closer ties............. this shows the emptiness and filth of our intelligentsia, journalist and think tanks, strategists.... An elderly street vendor can give them better points to convey to Russia.

@Sreenivasarajiv what is positive output of those high profile visits for any ordinary indian ?

It is just an excuse for not visiting Pakistan..

@asif A lot of these leaders actually got Visa on arrival for Indian Tourists which made travelling easier and hassle free.. Japan and Australia invested in India and created atleast 50,000 jobs. Indian Tycoon, Adani opened the largest coal mine in the world in Australia creating jobs there as well. These are just a few of many outcomes of the visits by these leaders to India, that did benefit the common India.

Russians not interested in signing MoUs.

Strengthening the bilateral relationship with Russia Means opposing the US policies , but in my opinion US was never a well wisher of Pakistan nor it will be in the future. Pakistan should develop strong substance so that they can ask the Russian president on a visit to Pakistan which will be beneficial for both the countries.

Pretty strong statement for a diplomat

A very strong statement by the Russian Diplomat ! May I request people in Foreign Office and in Pak Secretariat that its high time to decide national priority and time to chuck off 'Strategic Assets' and revisit 'Brotherly Relation'.

Pakistan-Russia relations are important. Moscow enjoying close ties with New Delhi can play a significant role in lowering tensions between the two South Asian nuclear neighbors. Russia is also interested in enhancing economic and defense cooperation with Pakistan. While enjoying strategic relations with China, Pakistan can strengthen its political and regional role by promoting relations with Russia.

@asif employment opportunity is one thing that immediately comes to my mind. recently read a report which states that in 2016 India will have highest employment generation rate. this would not have been possible if overall economy and business had not grown...apart from this other technological advancement from US/Europe/Russia is already taking place...I think we are on right course and hope our local leaders are more responsible to capitalize on these opportunities....

Russia has been blocked from raising sovereign funds in London and Europe to fund the pipeline project. USA Zionists are not lifting sanctions against Russia and that's why Pres Putin can't come to inaugurate the project. We are all slaves to the Rothschild family!!!! AiiB and SCO are the way to break WB and IMF.

Not much of a relationship between Pakistan and Russia. The Russians view Iran and India as more important countries in the region.

"Substance" Mr Ambasador that you speak of is always reliant on "Will". If you don't have the will Pakistan cant create it for you. Or is it the case for Russia waiting to see when India Ditches it for US past some red line, then perhaps substance will be created? Either way You will be seen in Poor light at that time in Pakistan.

What russian want not presented by pak and what pak want russian not want to present first ,so who will be first ?breach of trust dears

Never mind. We should keep trying and double up our efforts. If we manage to develop closer ties with Russia, it will be a big achievement for our foreign policy.

@Indians Offcourse you will not want it but we are not asking you. So keep your advices and concerns to yourself.

@asif These visits bought investments which in turn generate more employment for ordinary Indians. Common sense.

After Pakistan joining Saudi led military alliance,anyone can imagine the current status of Russia-Pakistan relation.

I would say it is a pretty rude statement from the Russian diplomat. Creating incentives and looking towards signing agreements of 'substance' are a two-way street. If both sides are serious to improve relations, they should form working groups and identify areas of cooperation and sign agreements to move forward together. But I feel that somehow this is a camouflage to mask current tensions in the context of the Syrian issue and Pakistan's leaning towards the Saudi-Turkish side.

Everyone wants money , you pay we come is the Russian aim now, they did enough charity and wrecked their country, now they want substance meaning cash ,then they will elevate the ties .If they say they want peace in this region then this will as good as madness as then arms sales will drop . So pay first and call later , whole Afganistan war they suffered , now they want payback in terms of cash .

Pakistan has to know, that it can play both sides, only to its own peril.

Can you realize where we stand at global platform. Only boosting as nuclear power and inviting big name to list doesn't work.

@Chacha Jee Excellent Analysis

Biggest mistake Pakistan ever made relying on the USA and the west.

@Chacha Jee Its the Kurds in Turkey mate who are causing the trouble.

Pakistan is trying its best to get some sukhois in its arsenal. But it would be at the cost of ties with India for Russia to do that!

I strongly believe that it's high time that we make good relations with Russia. Their technology is at par with the West and I believe that it will be a great initiative for our future generations.

Pakistani leaders and their entourage are used to touring countries without any substance so they think the same about leaders of other countries.

The correct critical statement of the Russian Ambassador contains many serious lessons for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. Unfortunately, we have, however, no full time active Foreign Minister in Pakistan. Our Foreign Policy is largely an Ad-hoc Policy - without "substance".

The drawing of negative conclusions from the Russian Ambassador's statement is uncalled for. Putin wants to play a role in the area & Pakistan is ripe for 'good' Russo-Pak relations. As for the accusation that Putin is anti-KSA, it is false (viz. thinning his forces in Syria). Certainly, he wants to retain his good relations with Iran, just as India does, but he also wants to develop good relation with the KSA & Egypt just as India wants to (Modi will be visiting the KSA soon, in April?). The world politics & alliances are changing and Pak journalists need to understand this.

Our neighbors could be our Great Friends & Economic partners but we are relying US, KSA who are in fact never but their own interests.

@Chacha Jee there is no Islamic either Hindu Tererism, if you have provided an example of Turkey then read before passing your prejudice comments. The attach has claimed by Turkish rebels and they have politicle interest. I hope my comments will help you to think outside of the box. Good luck!

Substance like that is in Syria?. .

Vladimir Putin's Russia is a game changer. previously Russia helped Pakistan by setting up state of the art Steel Mill, it was our respective government's mismanagement that saw PSM in a total disarray. PSM was a thoroughbred wasted. Russian President Vladimir Putin should be invited to pay a state visit to Pakistan ASAP.

Russia is a sinking ship and it has isolated itself completely by annexing crimea and invading eastern Ukraine forcing west to impose economic sanctions and its oil dependent economy is in huge trouble due to sharp reduction in crude prices

What happened to the four Mi-35 ‘Hind E’ attack helicopters? Does Russia realize that it could become Pakistan's primary arms supplier now?

@Worth_Commenting You may not be totally incorrect, but then really just think about the statement......Russia has arms to sell and money to invest, but does Pakistan offer any opportunity to buy arms from Russia or does Pakistan have any projects where Russians can invest? No. After all Russian govt has to look after its country's interest and right now Pakistan is not looking like a major prospects To them.

Pakistan should have rejected the Saudi led military coalition. It can do the same even now. Does Pakistan really need to beg Saudi for free oil? No wonder top leaders do not want to visit Pakistan.

@The Outsider You seem very much detached from reality. or rather over confident about India's fortune in the world. It will be proven there will be equitable powers in the world in the future, because world has witnessed the damage a lone super power can create in the world.

Cooperation in economies knows no enemies, Pakistan and Russia are not enemies, this region can change its fate by creating peaceful partners that could cooperate in all fields. The major hurdle in changing the fate of this region is the unresolved issue of occupied Kashmir, if India agrees to resolve Kashmir in good faith, it will be a blessing for the poor people of both countries. In fact, this is the issue of Kashmir which has fanned terrorism in this region.

Fair playing should be the norm when necessicity brings an oppurtunity to deal with any powerful country otherwise uncertainty would prevail and a sense of confusion devlop but the prerequisite should be thorough brainstroming before asking friendship of a big guy of the world.

Another failure in the feathers of PML(N) government.

@Chacha Jee "Great factual comment. It means unlike China, Russia is not going to give you a dime. Any closeness to Pakistan means annoying India which has been golden hen for Russia. Coming closer to Pakistan have many other perils too including Islamic terrorism. See what is happening in Turkey."

Why do you think China is giving us any monetary assistance? No country in the world give out money to another, in the name of friendship. China is providing soft loans to Pakistan and for a project that is in Chinese interest. As for as India being a "golden hen to Russia" this is something Indians should ponder about! Lastly there is no connection between Pakistan Turkey relations and terrorism. Turkey is facing a ethnic based terrorism that has roots in Kurdistan on the other hand Pakistan is being targeted by many sources of terror. Some internal and many externally fueled by sources like RAW.

pakistan's foreign policy took a wrong turn when in 1948 Prime Minister Liaqat Ali khan declined to visit Russia ( neighboring country) and accepted American trip (3 days to get there).

I think Su35 deal can provide that substance......

Russia can be a better COMRADE with Pakistan being an emerging market for economic opportunities. In politics no relationship is forever so, always, there are chances of betterment!! From Adelaide Australia

Well they are right. I mean, we never really said we'd give them something in return. Until we can change our attitude and support Russia more openly in world affairs, its difficult for Putin to come to Pakistan.

Pakistan is in a strategic alliance with China and China is in a strategic alliance with Russia, Can't leave each other, sooner the better.

Pakistan China and Russia is the best team ever as you people know very well that in the US there is no place for you so you can't depend on the US but just keep the good word no harm done by keeping your preference OK Wish you all the best

I lived there in Pakistan Steel town Karachi built by Russia it's the best state of the art infrastructure ever and best facilities in entire Pakistan to its employees maybe Mr. Putin will help to revive PSM again.

Internally Pakistan is divided over relations with Russia. It is moving in Russia's direction but slowly. Pakistan bureaucracy, civil society, media and businesses are all geared to the West and China. It will take some time to re-orient policies and attitudes. In 2013, Putin was all set but the foreign office could not develop one single document to sign. How come a leader like Putin will undertake a visit.

Pakistan political leadership is too incompetent and not ready or serious about geopolitical issues.

India was one of the key economic drags that led to the collapse of Soviet Union, Putin is too smart to let India play both sides against the middle again. Putin like the West understands Pakistan's strategic value. It is the largest Muslim nation in the contiguous land mass of dozens of Muslim nations which is six times the size of India.

@STAN;

Well, there was no Russia in 1948, it was Soviet Union. Even Soviet Union was not our neighbor, although it was trying to be one by creeping into Afghanistan, fully aided and abetted by our neighbor to the east. Soviet policy at that time was what West's policy is today; If you want to be our 'friend' you have to be India's 'friend' first. Soviets regretted their policy and the West too is realizing the same. India is 90% of India's sphere of influence and that does not a regional power make, let alone a superpower.

Oh well off to F16's we go

Our foreign policy has no vision. Our foreign ministry is sleeping. Our embassies overseas are a embarassment.

@The Outsider - Even the Chinese now invest only for economics. Gwadar was handed over to China two years ago, how many dollars have they invetsed in Gwadar?

@Cyrus THE Virus-Indian American

no country has also ever denied a visa to the leader of another country due to their despicable record on human rights!!!

@Sreenivasarajiv "Obama, Putin, Tony (Australia), Shinzo Abe (japan), Angela Merkel, David Cameroon, Nichols Sarzai are some of the world leaders who visited India last year."

Why not? Most of them and their governments have been perpetually involved in creating chaos world over. They all came to meet their friend Modi.

@Logic Name Russia's benefit.

I see areas of mutual cooperation and we should expand in those areas.

Its about time that we shift our focus from middle east to our neighbours. We are being used by Saudis . Russia Iran Afghanistan India should be our circle of friends rather than authoritarian regimes of ME. Its a shame that we don't have good relationship with any of our neighbours. China's friendship is more of a economic compulsion.

Pakistan is lucky to have two economic powerhouse in this this world as its neighbour with one is $19 Trillion GDP in purchasing power and the other is $9 Trillion GDP in purchasing power effectively placing them at worlds 2nd and 3rd largest. But unfortunately Pakistan instead of taking benefits always tried to discriminate despite being a member of WTO which doesn't allow discrimination in trade.Pakistan gives the contract to China but doesn't allow India to participate in the bidding and not even give the basic WTO requirements to India i.e MFN status.Until such kind of mind set dont China pakistan will always be dependent on China and Saudi.

@Logic how russia will be benefited from pakistan

Considering the history of our politicians its best that Russia does not visit Pakistan at least for investment purposes because a salaried person looses more than gaining anything from these investment. Our politicians are the winners in every situation because half of everything is owned by them. I have a message for all countries who are interested in investing in Pakistan : Russia is smart, be like Russia.. Substance should be present before investment is taken up and all stakeholders must benefit .

@Vectra You have yourselves to blame for that.

@Third Party Not really. Proof of that is Pakistan's refusal to get embroiled in Yemen issue.

I wonder if Russia is saying that Pakistan needs to distance itself from the US or at least be more neutral. But that said Pakistan needs to make conditions right for other countries to invest and take an interest in Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan can be good partners and I do hope that friendship can be expanded with the 2 countries.

@S lol

That's a humongous foreign policy failure of Nawaz Sharif government that Putin didn't schedule his Pakistan visit due to lack of substantive areas of cooperation. Main reason is that Pakistan doesn't have a dedicated Foreign Minister and to difuse the stalemate we suggested for NS to appoint Maryam Nawaz as the FM.

@ZwanZalmay - I think it is the people of Pakistan and India who should invent innovative ways to improve the relations. The political leaders and the milirary leaders should also support.

@me It is difficult for Pakistan to deal with Russia. The government of Pakistan has no final say. Russia does not like this sort of situations.

well only joint ventures in sciences can be done, but the indians, what the ussr wanted to do in afganistan can be done in pakistan in terms of sciences !