Pakistan–Russia Relations and the Changing Paradigm

Abstract

Moscow and Islamabad underwent a transition to say bye to past and develop a strong and stable relationship on mutual benefits. This paper analyses the factors related to both states building their relations in the perspective of geopolitical, geo-economics, regional and global changes. This piece also sheds light on the regional and global forces behind the closer linking and bringing of Moscow and Islamabad.. The study finds that U.S/India strategic cooperation and the pangs of Afghanistan‟s unsteadiness play a crucial role in this regard. The discussion comes to the conclusion that strong relation of Russia with Pakistan does not mean a hostile relation with India as the later was the cornerstone of Moscow policy in South Asia and historical ally throughout the Cold War. The study also recommends that Moscow can play a vital role in easing the tension between the two rival states of South Asia through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Multi-polarity Movement.