Russia for good relations with Pakistan

INDEED postponement of the much-awaited and high profile visit of the Russian President, which could not materialize for unexplained reasons, caused some dismay to circles in Pakistan that wanted to develop good relations with the erstwhile super power. There are, however, rumours that the postponement had something to do with Pakistan’s inability to do necessary homework for agreements with Russian Federation on some important economic projects and plans. As abrupt cancellation of the visit was seen by observers as a setback, it is somewhat satisfying that Moscow decided to send its Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov on a two day visit around the same dates his boss was supposed to be in the Pakistani capital. His visit was preceded by fruitful talks between a Russian delegation and its Pakistani counterparts leading to signing of three MoUs for cooperation for expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills, collaboration in Railway and energy sector of Pakistan. Hopefully, the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister would help sort out irritants, if any, at political level, paving the way for more meaningful economic and commercial ties between the two countries. It is rightly believed that ever since inception of Pakistan, Russia has been expressing its keen desire to establish and maintain close and mutually beneficial relations with Pakistan but there are reasons to believe that our rulers and policy-makers did not respond in the same spirit. It was, perhaps, due to some genuine security concerns that Pakistan put its weight in the Western block but with the passage of time it transpired that the country’s security and defence interests were instead paralysed by joining the Western camp. As for economic assistance and cooperation, American help did not provide any basis for sustainable development, rather it made the country permanently dependent on foreign aid. As against this, Russians have been willing to undertake projects of economic significance as witnessed in cooperation for establishment of Pakistan Steel and now interest for IP and TAPI gas pipeline projects. There is, therefore, every reason to promote relationship with Russia on sound footing and it is time we shun the past attitude and put this relationship on right track.