Deferral of Putin’s schedule visit
Courtesy:- Dr Raja Muhammad Khan
Following the sudden deferral of the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, there are many speculations as to why the visit was postponed. Whereas, many political and media analysts say that, the visit has been cancelled, the Foreign Office of Pakistan said in a statement that, “New summit dates will be worked out after seeking convenience of the respective leaders through diplomatic channels.” Nevertheless, irrespective of the factors behind the scene, Russian President is not visiting Pakistan as scheduled earlier. Apart from postponement of the visit, this is a fact that, after decades of remaining away from each other, relations between Pakistan and Russia have improved in last one decade.
In this regard, visit of President Zardari in May 2011 and former President General Pervaiz Musharraf in February 2003 were landmark achievements where the former super power was seen in a receptive mood. Even while calling off his visit to Islamabad, Russian President gave a commitment for bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Russia. In the letter to President Zardai, President Viladmir Putin has written that, “I am confident that in future we shall be able to find opportunities for arranging our personal meeting. We shall always be happy to receive you in Russia.” Where there are many factors considered behind this postponement, Indian factor seems one of those. India has always enjoyed a very good relationship with former Soviet Union and now Russian Federation after 1991. It has a place in the foreign policy of Russia. Indeed, in South Asia, India remained a cold war partner of the former Soviet Union throughout.
India even supported Russian military invasion in Afghanistan in the decade of 1980s. Despite its new strategic alliance with United States and West, it still enjoys a very good political, military and diplomatic relationship with Russia. Many analysts view that; India could be a factor in this episode of postponement of the visit of Russian President to Pakistan. Indeed, India and U.S were quite sceptical about growing bilateral relationship of Pakistan and Russian federation. India cannot digest that, its old and time-tested partner become friend of its rival. Furthermore, US too would oppose this new development in the relationship of Pakistan and Russia. In fact, US cannot afford that at this critical moment of Afghan war, Pakistan gets closer to Russia.
This is a reality, that, the developments in Afghanistan are not in favour of NATO and U.S forces and without a wholehearted support of Pakistan, it would not be possible for US to disengage from Afghanistan. Russia and Pakistan have common concerns about Afghan future, especially after 2014. Indeed, Russia would not like US military bases in Afghanistan and so would Pakistan. India foresees a role in Afghanistan and US military bases there would provide her a dedicated strength to continue its long-term agenda there as junior partner of US. Since India and U.S are on one page in their Afghan strategy, whereas, Pak-Russia has a different approach towards Afghan future.
As per Russian President’s special envoy Mr Kabulov, involvement of Pakistan is most essential for the solution of Afghanistan and Moscow and Islamabad share similar perceptions on the post-2014 scenarios for Afghanistan. Both desire a regional solution of this prolonged issue. He said that, “Russia belongs to this region and is against attempts to reorient regional economy and trade from the north to the south.” US New Silk Road Strategy is that, Russia should be out from the Central Asia.
Some analysts have the opinion that, Russian energy company Gazprom, which indeed is a state owned energy giant, wanted to have the contract of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline without bidding. Authorities in Pakistani wanted a proper procedure of bidding, which displeased the members of Gazprom during their presentation in Islamabad on September 10, 2012. Although this should not be a cogent reason, as states have to follow their procedures to be transparent and acceptable at the global level. Pakistan would welcome Russian Gazprom, if it wins the bidding. Without bidding, there would have been violation of the rules of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Besides, there are views that progress on some previously agreed regional economic projects of previous Quadrilateral forum was short of expectations. These projects include; Central Asia-South Asia electricity transmission from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan (CASA-1000), and the construction of rail tracks and motor roads from Tajikistan to Pakistan to create new trade routes in the region. Russian Federation has pledged invest $500 million in CASA-1000 and offering to help fund and build the other projects. Indeed, Asia Development Bank had not cooperated to finance these projects, thus remained short of progress. This aspect is quoted as one factor towards postponement of Putin’s visit.
Irrespective of this deferral of the President Putin’s visit, there is a marked improvement in the bilateral relationship of Pakistan and Russia. During SCO Summit, Russia has backed Pakistani membership of this regional organization. According to Mr Kabulov, Russia would like to have ideal relations with Pakistan as, “years of hostility had brought no gains either to Moscow or Islamabad.” The need of the hour is that, Pakistan should improve its impression that is only possible through improvement of diplomatic skills. An active diplomacy and a futuristic foreign policy would help avoiding such discomfitures in future. —The writer is Islamabad based IR analyst.
Following the sudden deferral of the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, there are many speculations as to why the visit was postponed. Whereas, many political and media analysts say that, the visit has been cancelled, the Foreign Office of Pakistan said in a statement that, “New summit dates will be worked out after seeking convenience of the respective leaders through diplomatic channels.” Nevertheless, irrespective of the factors behind the scene, Russian President is not visiting Pakistan as scheduled earlier. Apart from postponement of the visit, this is a fact that, after decades of remaining away from each other, relations between Pakistan and Russia have improved in last one decade.
In this regard, visit of President Zardari in May 2011 and former President General Pervaiz Musharraf in February 2003 were landmark achievements where the former super power was seen in a receptive mood. Even while calling off his visit to Islamabad, Russian President gave a commitment for bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Russia. In the letter to President Zardai, President Viladmir Putin has written that, “I am confident that in future we shall be able to find opportunities for arranging our personal meeting. We shall always be happy to receive you in Russia.” Where there are many factors considered behind this postponement, Indian factor seems one of those. India has always enjoyed a very good relationship with former Soviet Union and now Russian Federation after 1991. It has a place in the foreign policy of Russia. Indeed, in South Asia, India remained a cold war partner of the former Soviet Union throughout.
India even supported Russian military invasion in Afghanistan in the decade of 1980s. Despite its new strategic alliance with United States and West, it still enjoys a very good political, military and diplomatic relationship with Russia. Many analysts view that; India could be a factor in this episode of postponement of the visit of Russian President to Pakistan. Indeed, India and U.S were quite sceptical about growing bilateral relationship of Pakistan and Russian federation. India cannot digest that, its old and time-tested partner become friend of its rival. Furthermore, US too would oppose this new development in the relationship of Pakistan and Russia. In fact, US cannot afford that at this critical moment of Afghan war, Pakistan gets closer to Russia.
This is a reality, that, the developments in Afghanistan are not in favour of NATO and U.S forces and without a wholehearted support of Pakistan, it would not be possible for US to disengage from Afghanistan. Russia and Pakistan have common concerns about Afghan future, especially after 2014. Indeed, Russia would not like US military bases in Afghanistan and so would Pakistan. India foresees a role in Afghanistan and US military bases there would provide her a dedicated strength to continue its long-term agenda there as junior partner of US. Since India and U.S are on one page in their Afghan strategy, whereas, Pak-Russia has a different approach towards Afghan future.
As per Russian President’s special envoy Mr Kabulov, involvement of Pakistan is most essential for the solution of Afghanistan and Moscow and Islamabad share similar perceptions on the post-2014 scenarios for Afghanistan. Both desire a regional solution of this prolonged issue. He said that, “Russia belongs to this region and is against attempts to reorient regional economy and trade from the north to the south.” US New Silk Road Strategy is that, Russia should be out from the Central Asia.
Some analysts have the opinion that, Russian energy company Gazprom, which indeed is a state owned energy giant, wanted to have the contract of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline without bidding. Authorities in Pakistani wanted a proper procedure of bidding, which displeased the members of Gazprom during their presentation in Islamabad on September 10, 2012. Although this should not be a cogent reason, as states have to follow their procedures to be transparent and acceptable at the global level. Pakistan would welcome Russian Gazprom, if it wins the bidding. Without bidding, there would have been violation of the rules of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Besides, there are views that progress on some previously agreed regional economic projects of previous Quadrilateral forum was short of expectations. These projects include; Central Asia-South Asia electricity transmission from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan (CASA-1000), and the construction of rail tracks and motor roads from Tajikistan to Pakistan to create new trade routes in the region. Russian Federation has pledged invest $500 million in CASA-1000 and offering to help fund and build the other projects. Indeed, Asia Development Bank had not cooperated to finance these projects, thus remained short of progress. This aspect is quoted as one factor towards postponement of Putin’s visit.
Irrespective of this deferral of the President Putin’s visit, there is a marked improvement in the bilateral relationship of Pakistan and Russia. During SCO Summit, Russia has backed Pakistani membership of this regional organization. According to Mr Kabulov, Russia would like to have ideal relations with Pakistan as, “years of hostility had brought no gains either to Moscow or Islamabad.” The need of the hour is that, Pakistan should improve its impression that is only possible through improvement of diplomatic skills. An active diplomacy and a futuristic foreign policy would help avoiding such discomfitures in future. —The writer is Islamabad based IR analyst.
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