ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia need to establish a strong economic relationship, which would eventually lead to a strategic partnership between the two countries.

This was the gist of the discussion at a webinar hosted by the Strategic Vision Institute on “Pakistan-Russia Strategic Relation” that was participated by scholars and practitioners from the two countries, according to a statement issued by the think-tank on Monday.

Emphasising the need for stronger trade and economic ties, the experts recalled that Pakistan missed few opportunities that came its way. Islamabad was, therefore, advised to strike a major economic deal with Moscow to put the two countries’ move towards strategic cooperation on a faster track.

Relations between the two countries have gradually grown over the past couple of decades and Moscow backed Pakistan’s entry into Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Cooperation on Afghanistan has been a key element of this improvement in bilateral ties. However, many believe that the progress has been relatively slow because of the historical cold war baggage.

Retired ambassador Zamir Akram noted the existence of “convergence of strategic interests” between the two countries on peace and stability in Afghanistan, countering terrorism, and regional connectivity.

He urged the government to engage Russian government and businesses in large scale projects in the country.

“The lack of progress has been mainly due to Pakistan’s own faults rather than any failings on the Russian side,” he observed while referring to Islamabad not having been able to benefit from Moscow’s interest in the privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills.

In this regard, he recalled that the India-Russia joint statement issued at the end of President Putin’s visit to Delhi last month, unlike communiqués issued after India’s engagements with Western leaders, did not contain any negative references to Pakistan.

He was, therefore, of the view that this reflected Moscow’s intent to have a balanced approach towards Pakistan and India. “I am sure and that is a signal to both of us,” he maintained.

Dr Rizwana Abbasi, who teaches at National University of Modern Languages, said Russia’s S-400 missile system’s sales to India should not hinder progress in Moscow-Islamabad ties.

“Pakistan can involve Russia and China along with US on holding a constructive dialogue on arms control arrangements and arms control mechanisms,” she suggested adding that Russia was a potential contender for a role for resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir dispute and checking the aggravation in the regional balance.

Russian scholar Dr Irina Nikolaevna Serenko said nascent Pakistan-Russia defense ties can grow with time, but the two needed to build the relationship through economic cooperation particularly the conclusion of the agreement for the construction of the 1,100km gas pipeline called the Pak Stream Gas Pipeline.

She said President Putin could have visited Islamabad last month as well when he went to India if there could have been a substantive outcome like the gas pipeline deal.

She said that Moscow’s foreign policy approach was to simultaneously develop ties with both India and Pakistan as illustrated by Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visits to both countries last year.

Dr Vladimir Sotnikov of Russian International Affairs Council said economic cooperation formed the most prospective area for developing convergences between Pakistan and Russia.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2022