Pakistan, Russia, China inch closer to formal alliance

[Jlaw]

good thing india isnt a part else it would just be a a PRIC(k)

India sold its sovereignty to US after signing LEMOA. For what? US endorsement to allow India to join NSG. Such a high price to pay for one's sovereignty

 

[war&peace]

Its called working for mutual interests in Afghanistan, not alliance.

Alliance means something like NATO.

sometimes alliances are formed without formal structure and shape, if a group of countries find moving closer on a multiple issues, naturally an understanding develops between them. There is no formal alliance between China and Pakistan either but the whole world knows about Pak-China relationship...so an alliance does not need to be declared..

 

[massattack]

We should keep Iran out, they are just a menace, a real axis of evil and a sponsor of terrorism in muslim world.

Not a good idea. Iran is the only muslim country that has always stood up against the USA. Good relations with Iran is in the interest of Pakistan and ummah

 

[Banglar Bir]

Hope and praying to Almighty that this new strategic alliance can finally succeed in reverting this vital region to attain a durable and long lasting peaceful and stable atmosphere. Thus, a new dawn of tranquility and overall economic development is looming in the horizon.

 

[POPEYE-Sailor]

Sounds like there are some who are jumping the gun regarding Pakistan's relations to Russia with talks of an "alliance," when, in fact, it's nothing more than an understanding on Afghanistan.

And for argument's sake if such an alliance should be created, what are its core principles besides ousting foreign troops from Afghanistan? And what will happen to Pakistan-US relations if Pakistan entered such an alliance?

What ever bro Russian even not give a single miss call to INDIA about Afghanistan issue and you guys declare Afghanistan is our regional friend, strategic partner bla bla blah .... lol

 

[BHarwana]

ISLAMABAD: China, Pakistan and Russia are inching closer to form an alliance to stabilise war-torn Afghanistan, where the three countries see the emergence of Islamic State terror group as a common threat, a media report today said.

The strategic calculation are changing after competing for well over two decades. Islamabad and Moscow are all set to become part of a possible alliance in a dramatic turnaround in their otherwise frosty relationship for decades.

What has co
mpelled Pakistan and Russia to join hands is apprehensions that the United States may not be interested in bringing stability to Afghanistan for its own strategic interests, The Express Tribune reported.

"These fears have now opened up the possibility of an alliance between Pakistan, Russia and China in an unprecedented development that will shape the future of this volatile region," according to the report.

It quoted military and Foreign Office sources as saying that t
he three countries were inching closer to formalising their relationship with an aim to bring regional stability, particularly seeking a political solution to the Afghan war.

The sources said Pakistan as well as China and Russia reached a conclusion that the US wanted to prolong the conflict in Afghanistan. This situation, officials pointed out, has left Pakistan with no other option but to seek a regional solution by involving Russia, China and Iran.
Moscow already hosted two meetings involving Pakistani and Chinese officials to discuss the Afghanistan problem. Another such gathering with a larger audience is scheduled later this month. The objective of these meetings is to evolve a regional consensus for the lingering conflict in Afghanistan.

The biggest fear among the regional countries, including China and Russia, is the emergence of IS in Afghanistan. There were reports that thousands of fighters were being sent to Afghanist
an. There were reports that thousands of fighters were being sent to Afghanistan from Syria, a development, Pakistan, Russia and China believe is aimed at further destabilising the war-torn country.

These countries suspect the US may be using IS as a proxy to further its interests, particularly to counter China and a resurgent Russia.

For Pakistan, this is dangerous scenario as prolonged instability in Afghanistan will continue to cast shadow on its progress and stability. "Due to these compulsions Pakistan has now reached out to Russia and other regional countries," commented defence analyst Lt Gen (retd) Amjad Shoaib.

Gen Shoaib, who is closely connected with the military establishment, endorsed the assessment that the US was not ready to bring stability to Afghanistan. He also claimed that Pakistan has already conveyed to the Trump Administration that Russia and China were coming in a big way in Afghanistan if the United States does not take st
eps to clear the mess.

In a trilateral meeting in Moscow in December, Russia and China agreed to a flexible approach to remove certain Taliban figures from the UN sanctions lists as part of efforts to foster a peaceful dialogue between Kabul and the Taliban.

However, the US was not ready to accept it, something officials here said showed Washington's lack of interest in seeking a peace deal. In fact, Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, before being killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province in May last year, was pushing for this demand in order to show sceptics within his insurgent group the benefits of seeking the peace process.

The Afghan problem has brought Pakistan and Russia close in terms of strategic and defence cooperation. Last week, the Pakistan army took a high-powered Russian military delegation to the volatile North Waziristan Agency to give them a firsthand account of the country's anti-terror gains.

The development is part of a series of steps taken to open a new chapter in Pakistan-Russia ties that have long been held hostage to the politics of 'Cold War' era.

The rapprochement began in 2011 when Pakistan decided to broaden its foreign policy options after its ties with the US deteriorated due to a secret raid at Abottabad to kill Osama bin Laden in May that year and later the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in NATO airstrikes along the Afghan border.

"This is a realistic approach and is good for our interests," said Gen Shoaib, who added that increased cooperation with Russia did not necessarily mean that ties between Pakistan and the US lost their utility.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...-problem-says-report/articleshow/57985232.cms

 

[cloud4000]

I say end this tamasha. US should unilaterally withdraw from Afghanistan and let the regional leaders handle things. It's bloody obvious US has failed militarily and politically to stabilize Afghanistan and there's no point pursuing it any further. The main culprit is the Afghanistan government and its corrupt and incompetent ways. Billions spent -- no trillions! -- on a country that can't even defend itself.

But unless US agrees with the alliance's goals, it's not going anywhere.

 

[New World]

Sounds like there are some who are jumping the gun regarding Pakistan's relations to Russia with talks of an "alliance," when, in fact, it's nothing more than an understanding on Afghanistan.

And for argument's sake if such an alliance should be created, what are its core principles besides ousting foreign troops from Afghanistan? And what will happen to Pakistan-US relations if Pakistan entered such an alliance?

this alliance or you can call it an understanding is specially for Afghanistan.. Because Afghanistan is the background of those 4 countries whom USA consider them as Enemy or opponents or possibly a threat.. and after 16 years of war in Afghanistan there is no chance of peace under USA's blessing

now with Pakistan's entry in ME, Pakistan and Russia might not be in same page in ME or might they create a new middle path where both can walk..

USA-Relation will continue as they are now or may be bit low compared with today because of USA' tilt toward india.

the interesting is that how india will manage her relation with Russia and Iran, because as per Pakistani intelligence community india along ANA is supporting TTP and other splinter groups to merge in ISIS to fight with Afghan Taliban and Pakistan and IF ISIS grew and gain foothold in Afghanistan there will be a serious security threat for Russia, Iran and these both countries strategic and old partner of india..

 

[cloud4000]

the interesting is that how india will manage her relation with Russia and Iran, because as per Pakistani intelligence community india along ANA is supporting TTP and other splinter groups to merge in ISIS to fight with Afghan Taliban and Pakistan and IF ISIS grew and gain foothold in Afghanistan there will be a serious security threat for Russia, Iran and these both countries strategic and old partner of india..

Good post. India is in quite a fix. It can only operate in Afghanistan with the approval of both the Afghan govt and US. The entrance of Russia into the picture complicates things for India. But then again, India's presence has not really stabilized Afghanistan either, so it's in the same boat with US. India also relies on Russia and CARs to support its operations in AFghanistan, and this could be put in jeopardy if Russia is insistent on bring the Taliban to the table.

Interesting times indeed.

 

[New World]

Good post. India is in quite a fix. It can only operate in Afghanistan with the approval of both the Afghan govt and US. The entrance of Russia into the picture complicates things for India. But then again, India's presence has not really stabilized Afghanistan either, so it's in the same boat with US. India also relies on Russia and CARs to support its operations in AFghanistan, and this could be put in jeopardy if Russia is insistent on bring the Taliban to the table.

Interesting times indeed.

indeed, new alliances will be formed and former alliances will be buried in Afghanistan..

 

[cloud4000]

indeed, new alliances will be formed and former alliances will be buried in Afghanistan..

It will take some time, but it definitely looks to be heading that way. Can't have peace in Afghanistan without including Taliban. All parties -- especially India and US -- need to be realistic about this.

 

[New World]

It will take some time, but it definitely looks to be heading that way. Can't have peace in Afghanistan without including Taliban. All parties -- especially India and US -- need to be realistic about this.

but what if they are not interested in Peace?

Unstable Afghanistan will keep unstable her 4 neighbors. and 3 of them are those whom USA consider enemy and 2 of them are those whom india consider enemy..

 

[cloud4000]

but what if they are not interested in Peace?

Unstable Afghanistan will keep unstable her 4 neighbors. and 3 of them are those whom USA consider enemy and 2 of them are those whom india consider enemy..

Pressure is building in for US to withdraw from Afghanistan. Some members question the viability of US remaining in Afghanistan given that there has been no improvement on the ground. What exactly is US gaining from this exercise?

If Pakistan really want US to leave Afghanistan, it should just tell them to leave. US can't do what it's doing without Pakistan's support. Is Pakistan ready to take this bold step? Because there will be consequences.

 

[New World]

Pressure is building in for US to withdraw from Afghanistan. Some members question the viability of US remaining in Afghanistan given that there has been no improvement on the ground. What exactly is US gaining from this exercise?

law makers can question, because every year tens of billions of dollars are being spent with no result in sight..

If Pakistan really want US to leave Afghanistan, it should just tell them to leave. US can't do what it's doing without Pakistan's support. Is Pakistan ready to take this bold step? Because there will be consequences.

until 2015 Pakistan does not want USA to leave Afghanistan this condition, Because at that time neither Pakistan was able to handle Afghanistan Solely nor China, Russia and Iran was interested in to lead from front.

but things are now different..

 

[NakedLunch]

India sold its sovereignty to US after signing LEMOA. For what? US endorsement to allow India to join NSG. Such a high price to pay for one's sovereignty

Now USA is offering to 'mediate' between Pakistan and India days after Iran offered to 'mediate' in Kashmir. Looks like India's foreign policy has collapsed in on itself. This has to be a disaster for the Indians.