Pakistan Russia Relations: An Assesment of Military Cooperation.

Abstract

In international relations, there is no permanent friend or foe. The nature of relations between states vary in accordance with their interests. Throughout the cold war era, Pakistan and USSR could not maintain stable relations despite efforts as Pakistan was interested in defense technology of USSR and USSR wanted to take advantage of strategic location of Pakistan. But after 9/11, a drastic improvement was observed in the relations of two countries. This study is aimed at assessment of fluctuating nature of Pak-Russia relations since 1947, in depth exploration of reasons of improvement in Pak-Russia relations after 9/11 and analysis of military cooperation between two countries along with its impact on region. By reviewing extensive literature on the subject the answers of research questions were found. In the past century, relations between Pakistan and Russia remained fluctuating because soon after its creation, Pakistan decided to join western bloc due to its military and financial needs and thereafter became part of western alliances aimed at containing communism. In response, Russia started supporting India and thus thereafter could not give Pakistan access to its sophisticated weapons despite the utmost efforts of Pakistan, due to pressure of India. After 9/11, As Pakistan abandoned Taliban, principle interest of two countries converged due to shared threat of terrorism and US-Indian alliance. Other factors that brought them closer were energy needs of Pakistan, Russia’s interest in CPEC, SCO and Russia’s vision of diversification of its foreign policy. Military cooperation also improved between two countries after 9/11 as many joint military exercises and training programs were initiated that are being held consistently especially after 2016. There is a frequent exchange of visits of high level military and defense related officials. But as far as, the trade of military hardware is concerned, much progress has not been witnessed. Russia seem to not stake its relations with its past strategic ally, India.