ISLAMABAD, Nov 21: There are clear indications from Russian diplomatic sources that Moscow is keen to obtain observer status in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and may in the coming months formally approach the Saarc chair in this regard.

Russia’s keenness to be associated with Saarc is prompted by the positive developments in Indo-Pakistan relations and expansion of the grouping beyond the region, a knowledgeable Russian source told Dawn.

“Russia has a big interest in Saarc and it is clear that it cannot remain out of the process with countries like Afghanistan joining in and Iran also making a bid for it,” Russian diplomatic sources said.

According to the sources Moscow is seriously contemplating a bid for the observer status but it has still to approach the Saarc chair or the secretariat in Kathmandu.

Moscow, which has been closely watching the moves within Saarc, is expected to informally sound out the member states about its interest before making a formal request for the observer status.

Saarc watchers believe it is more likely that Russia would first discuss this matter with its close ally India which is to host the next Saarc Summit in April 2007.

While there is no official confirmation, the Russian foreign minister may have discussed this matter with India when he was in Delhi last week. When an Indian diplomat in Islamabad was asked about it he was not sure if the

Russian foreign minister had mentioned it. The Indian diplomat said he was not even aware of Moscow’s interest in becoming a Saarc observer.

According to officials at the Foreign Ministry the Russian foreign minister did not raise this topic during his visit to Pakistan the same week.

However, South Asian diplomats in Islamabad say it is unlikely that any Saarc member state would oppose the Russian bid for observer status. Pakistan would welcome it, is the dominant view in the foreign policy circles here.

Pakistan had played a key role in helping Russia get the observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Conference last year and in turn Russia helped Pakistan get the same status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.