Russia-Pakistan Relations in Transition: Strategic Shifts and Regional Impacts in the Contemporary Global Order

Abstract

The dynamics of the Russia-Pakistan relations in the 21st century have seen a radical shift of a nearly 20 years period of the cold war excoriation to a period of circumspect strategic collaboration. The trend is influenced by the multipolar nature of the world today, realignments in different regions and the shift in foreign policy interests of the two countries. The shift of Russia to Asia, which is catalysed by the Western sanctions and the need of Pakistani diversification of its classical partnership tied with the United States has opened new possibilities in the field of defense, energy and economics. Collaboration through key initiatives such as the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline are evidence of their economic interdependence with each other, and together in the military exercises, they show a common interest in the region security and counter terrorism. Moreover, the new relationship is transforming the geopolitics of South Asia that was traditionally dominated by the relation India had with Russia, and is forming a more intricate strategic landscape. The changes are enhanced by the presence of China as a common partner that results into the trilateral arrangement that shapes the security structures and economic integration initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative in the region. Though the historical distrust and current geopolitical limitations, both countries are using their collaboration to optimize strategic independence and answer mutual security problems especially in Afghanistan and Central Asia. Through these transforming relations, the study uses theoretical perspectives like neo-realism, and neoliberalism to examine the bilateral relations between Russia and Pakistan and how it holds impacts on the stability of the region and international order. The transition means not just practical re-alignment of its foreign policies but also a potential equal and opposite power to Western impact in Eurasia and the world at large.