Afia Ambreen
Despite Indian media’s anti Pakistan propaganda with regards to cancellation of joint exercise between Russia and Pakistan ground forces, the First Bilateral Joint Exercise between Pakistan Army and Russian Federation namely “Friendship 2016” is taking place as per schedule. The military exercise began on September 24 and will conclude on October 10. Around 70 Russian soldiers and officers along with some 130 Pakistani counterparts are taking part in said exercise. The name is a symbolical reference to the previous Cold War tensions between Moscow and Islamabad, which the two capitals are now trying to overcome. The objective of the joint exercise include developing cooperation between ground forces of the two countries, improving tactical abilities of the participating military personnel and developing a foundation for future interaction. It is important to mention that the said exercise is a part of the military cooperation pact signed between Pakistan and Russia in December 2014, which was seen as a turning point in the two countries bilateral relations.
Russia had maintained a low profile in the post-Cold War era due to domestic challenges, things began to change at the turn of the millennium with the result that it again became an assertive player in the realm of foreign policy. This can be seen in its relations with central Asian countries, as it calls for peaceful resolutions of the conflicts tearing the Middle East apart and its bilateral relations with Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. Holding a joint military exercise is a major achievement for both Pakistan and Russia. The exercise is indicative of the fact that both countries have significantly reconciled their mutual differences. One of the objectives to hold the first ever military exercise on the land of Pakistan is to spread the message of reconciliation across Pakistan to let the people of Pakistan understand that now onward Russia should not be viewed as a foe but as a friend. Certainly, the political face of the joint military exercise is stronger and more prominent than the military objectives that both countries want to achieve.
Russia is one of India’s oldest and closest allies. The two countries have pursued broad military and commercial ties since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. During the Cold War, India signed a treaty of friendship with the Soviet Union in 1971. Historically, Pakistan and Russia’s ties have remained strained. Until recently, the relationship between the two countries was shaped by Moscow’s changing ties with New Delhi. However, Russia’s hesitancy to support India in the wake of the Uri attack by not calling off the exercises with Pakistan marks a distinct shift in Moscow’s foreign policy. In this regard Russian Ambassador Alexey Y. Dedov, while delivering a talk on “New Trends in Russian Foreign Policy and Future” held at Karachi University, said that Pak-Russian ties were far more robust and were undergoing a renaissance. Pakistan and Russia have been through many ups and downs. They were excellent during the time of Ayub Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto but then they became strained. He also said that Pakistan was its main partner in the region and read out President Putin’s quote about Pakistan’s importance to Russia in which he said that “Russia attaches great importance to Pakistan and this is because of its stipulated role in the Muslim Ummah”. He also spoke about increasing political ties that includes the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and recent visit of Pakistani parliamentarians to Russia and vice versa.
Over the last couple of years, Russia has attempted to expand its relationship with Pakistan. Both countries are in the process of finalizing a military deal that includes the sale of SU-35 fighter jets. Moreover, last year, Russia and Pakistan signed an agreement for the construction of an 1,100 kilometer gas pipeline from Lahore to Karachi. Moscow’s decision of not canceling the ongoing military exercises with Pakistan is likely driven by its domestic consideration that the new geo strategic environment in South Asia demands Russia to extend its diplomatic, security, and economic outreach beyond its historic partnerships and alliances.
The growing relationship between Pakistan and Russia is commendable. It is a delight to see that Pakistan’s foreign policymakers are working to move ahead of the bitter past shared by the two countries. It is worth mentioning that the Soviet Union was one of the few countries that helped Pakistan in oil and gas exploration and the establishment of the country’s first steel mill. In order to achieve economic growth, Pakistan wants to maintain cordial relations with all of its neighbours and not just rely on a few countries. Keeping in view the regional and international changing political and military environment, the joint military exercise currently being participated by Russian troops is bound to bring harmony between the two countries. The door of technological help and economic cooperation may be opened. Pakistan can make arrangements to import energy i.e. electricity, oil and gas from Russia. Pakistan Steel Mill can be revived and more such mills can be established. In short, improvement in Pak-Russia relations presages benefits for both the countries.
