ChineseTiger1986
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Yep, much like the movement of the East Turkistan.
Russia & Pakistan's Growing Engagement
- Thread starter Spring Onion
- Start date
Yep, much like the movement of the East Turkistan.
DESERT FIGHTER
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YouTube - Mountains start spitting CRUDE OIL in D I Khan Pakistan
I have seen this place......... And its true......
Paan Singh
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i will be happy if these two things are done by both countries
somebozo
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Russia hails Pakistan
Pakistan offers Russia access to
Russia, Pakistan affirm strategic partnership course: Voice of Russia
Hmm..so now we are truly engaged in the regional chess game...
Pakistan offers Russia access to
Russia, Pakistan affirm strategic partnership course: Voice of Russia
Hmm..so now we are truly engaged in the regional chess game...
monitor
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Russias Growing Engagement with Pakistan
Posted on May 24, 2011
[Translate]
Smita Purushottam
Asif Ali Zardaris first official visit to Russia, which, according to his website, was also the first time that a Pakistani President had been officially invited to Russia since 1974, took place on May 11-13, 2011. The bilateral Summit yielded agreements on air services, energy and agriculture. The two sides agreed to maintain regional peace and reiterated support for the joint fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, and expansion of coordination on these and other issues. They also agreed to cooperate in bilateral trade, investment, the financial sector including barter and swap schemes, and business and joint projects including the modernization of a metallurgical plant in Karachi, construction of power generation facilities and the development of gas fields in Pakistan.
Since Russia had announced its interest in participating in the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, the Joint Statement issued at the Summit mentioned the interest of both sides in TAPI and the Tajikistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia) electricity transmission project. Russian energy companies such as Gazprom are backing the initiative. Interestingly, Gazprom is also seeking a role in Bangladesh.
The two main themes at the Summit were therefore energy, business and economic cooperation on the one hand and combating drug trafficking and terrorism to stabilise the security situation in the region on the other. Russia and Pakistan had earlier discussed transit issues and opening a route to the warm waters. So it was not surprising that on the eve of the Summit President Zardari reiterated the invitation to Russia to take advantage of Pakistans access to the southern seas.
ASSESSMENTS
The timing of the Summit just 10 days after the killing of Osama bin Laden inevitably gave rise to some speculation as to whether it was calculated to send a signal to the US. This needs to be laid to rest. Such high-level visits are planned well in advance. Thus, this visit had been planned after President Zardari told President Medvedev on the sidelines of the second Pakistan-Afghanistan-Russia-Tajikistan (hereinafter referred to as the PART) Summit at Sochi in August 20101 that he wished to visit Moscow.
Moreover, President Medvedev and other Russian leaders left no one in doubt about their reactions to the killing of Osama bin Laden.2 The Kremlin welcomed the operation and the Russian Foreign Ministry publicly appreciated the US informing Russia about the operation before President Obamas official announcement. Dmitry Rogozin, Russian envoy to NATO, reportedly called the liquidation of Osama a great political success. Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, justified it by referring to the Security Council resolution adopted after 9/11 recognizing the US right of self-defense under Article 51 The right of self-defense envisages no restrictions. Those who carried out the operation, had a sound legal basis as per the right of self-defense under the UN Charter, confirmed moreover in the resolution of the Security Council. Thus Article 51 allowed a country against which an attack was made to take all necessary measures to prevent any future such attacks and punish those responsible.3
A high-level security meeting on terrorist attacks on Russian targets abroad was held a day before President Zardaris arrival in Russia, inadvertently serving as the backdrop to his visit.
Post American Withdrawal Scenario
Clearly, therefore, the Summit was not timed to exploit Pakistans emerging rift with the United States. Instead, it was part of Russias ongoing initiatives to play a greater role in stabilising the region before the expected withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan presented the region with a whole range of potential worst-case scenarios, with the only hope being they will not all come true at once.4
Thus, Pakistan, already suffering from multiple crises, had accelerated its tactical nuclear weapons programme. China is moreover readying itself to take advantage of the American withdrawal. Pakistan immediately rushed to China to find succor, and reportedly weighed in on Afghan President Karzai to throw in his lot with Pakistan and China.5 In fact, the tone of the American Administration seemed to change once the China card was played by Pakistan. The China factor may even be a reason for the Americans to reconsider their withdrawal plans after 2014.
Significantly, the CSTOs Russian Secretary-General Nikolai Bordyuzha stated that foreign troops needed to stay in Afghanistan.6 Fyodor Lukyanov, the reputed Editor in Chief of Russia in Global Affairs also opined that Russia and neighboring countries were not interested in a quick US withdrawal.
Russias Concerns
Like all affected countries, Russia is deeply concerned at the accentuation of instability in the region and its spillover effects into its southern periphery, increase in drug trafficking and terrorism, etc. Russia may also be uneasy at the erosion of its influence in Eurasia, while China increases its stranglehold over the regions resources, transportation and energy networks. Thus the massive copper deposits at Aynak discovered by Soviet experts are now being exploited by China.
Russia has accordingly tried to re-engage constructively in the region over the past few years. Apart from its activism in SCO and CSTO, Russia has intensified its involvement in Afghanistan, through the Russia-Afghan forum, the SCO-Afghan contact group and the CTSO7-Afghan working group. Despite severe funding constraints, Russia has also explored the possibilities of greater engagement in Afghanistans development programmes, such as restoring Soviet-era pipelines and hydroelectric stations, and investing in Afghanistans mineral, oil and gas deposits many of which were discovered by the Soviets.
Russia has moreover facilitated the transit of military supplies for NATO forces in Afghanistan through its territory, in addition to making available helicopters and other facilities. It is to be hoped that the stand-off regarding stationing of ballistic missile defences in the European theatre does not derail the developing understanding between the US, NATO and Russia for stabilising the region.
Russia may have also concluded that isolating Pakistan from any dialogue to stabilise the region would be counter-productive, and hence intensified its outreach to Pakistan. This explains the PART initiative in 2009 and why Russia publicly supported Pakistans membership in the SCO at the Moscow Summit of May 2011, with India also formally applying for SCO membership around this time.8 The bilateral Summit was a logical extension of this strategy.
Implications for India
A perennial question is whether a rapprochement between Russia and Pakistan will adversely impact Indo-Russian relations, particularly whether Russia will sell arms to Pakistan. The Russian Secretary of the Security Council and Pakistans Defence Minister were reportedly present at the talks at the recent Summit. Indias relationship with Russia is however too well entrenched to be easily disturbed, while the possibility of major Russian arms sales to Pakistan in the near future is remote. Russias outreach to Pakistan is a part of its efforts to stabilise this volatile region, and also part of its multi-vector diplomacy and desire to play a more meaningful role in Asia. Russia probably means to resurrect the role of honest broker it played at Tashkent, and India may thus expect a little more even-handedness from Russia. Other than that, India and Russia should not perceive each others relationships with other countries as a zero sum game.
Of far greater urgency, especially for India, is the need to address the worsening regional security situation. The Indian PMs visit to Afghanistan to forge a strategic partnership was a good move. But the effort to shape the agenda for regional cooperation and the contours of a peaceful Eurasia has to extend beyond Afghanistan by proactively reaching out to Russia, the Central Asian countries, the United States and other constructive partners like the EU, UN and the ADB, and even China to build connectivity and spheres for mutual engagement and cooperation.
The Summit has underlined the necessity for skilful regional diplomacy to manage the complex dynamics and fresh security challenges emerging in the region, which India would do well to factor into its own security strategy.
Smita Purushottam is Senior Fellow at IDSA. The views expressed are personal.
Source: IDSA
Posted on May 24, 2011
[Translate]
Smita Purushottam
Asif Ali Zardaris first official visit to Russia, which, according to his website, was also the first time that a Pakistani President had been officially invited to Russia since 1974, took place on May 11-13, 2011. The bilateral Summit yielded agreements on air services, energy and agriculture. The two sides agreed to maintain regional peace and reiterated support for the joint fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, and expansion of coordination on these and other issues. They also agreed to cooperate in bilateral trade, investment, the financial sector including barter and swap schemes, and business and joint projects including the modernization of a metallurgical plant in Karachi, construction of power generation facilities and the development of gas fields in Pakistan.
Since Russia had announced its interest in participating in the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, the Joint Statement issued at the Summit mentioned the interest of both sides in TAPI and the Tajikistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia) electricity transmission project. Russian energy companies such as Gazprom are backing the initiative. Interestingly, Gazprom is also seeking a role in Bangladesh.
The two main themes at the Summit were therefore energy, business and economic cooperation on the one hand and combating drug trafficking and terrorism to stabilise the security situation in the region on the other. Russia and Pakistan had earlier discussed transit issues and opening a route to the warm waters. So it was not surprising that on the eve of the Summit President Zardari reiterated the invitation to Russia to take advantage of Pakistans access to the southern seas.
ASSESSMENTS
The timing of the Summit just 10 days after the killing of Osama bin Laden inevitably gave rise to some speculation as to whether it was calculated to send a signal to the US. This needs to be laid to rest. Such high-level visits are planned well in advance. Thus, this visit had been planned after President Zardari told President Medvedev on the sidelines of the second Pakistan-Afghanistan-Russia-Tajikistan (hereinafter referred to as the PART) Summit at Sochi in August 20101 that he wished to visit Moscow.
Moreover, President Medvedev and other Russian leaders left no one in doubt about their reactions to the killing of Osama bin Laden.2 The Kremlin welcomed the operation and the Russian Foreign Ministry publicly appreciated the US informing Russia about the operation before President Obamas official announcement. Dmitry Rogozin, Russian envoy to NATO, reportedly called the liquidation of Osama a great political success. Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, justified it by referring to the Security Council resolution adopted after 9/11 recognizing the US right of self-defense under Article 51 The right of self-defense envisages no restrictions. Those who carried out the operation, had a sound legal basis as per the right of self-defense under the UN Charter, confirmed moreover in the resolution of the Security Council. Thus Article 51 allowed a country against which an attack was made to take all necessary measures to prevent any future such attacks and punish those responsible.3
A high-level security meeting on terrorist attacks on Russian targets abroad was held a day before President Zardaris arrival in Russia, inadvertently serving as the backdrop to his visit.
Post American Withdrawal Scenario
Clearly, therefore, the Summit was not timed to exploit Pakistans emerging rift with the United States. Instead, it was part of Russias ongoing initiatives to play a greater role in stabilising the region before the expected withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan presented the region with a whole range of potential worst-case scenarios, with the only hope being they will not all come true at once.4
Thus, Pakistan, already suffering from multiple crises, had accelerated its tactical nuclear weapons programme. China is moreover readying itself to take advantage of the American withdrawal. Pakistan immediately rushed to China to find succor, and reportedly weighed in on Afghan President Karzai to throw in his lot with Pakistan and China.5 In fact, the tone of the American Administration seemed to change once the China card was played by Pakistan. The China factor may even be a reason for the Americans to reconsider their withdrawal plans after 2014.
Significantly, the CSTOs Russian Secretary-General Nikolai Bordyuzha stated that foreign troops needed to stay in Afghanistan.6 Fyodor Lukyanov, the reputed Editor in Chief of Russia in Global Affairs also opined that Russia and neighboring countries were not interested in a quick US withdrawal.
Russias Concerns
Like all affected countries, Russia is deeply concerned at the accentuation of instability in the region and its spillover effects into its southern periphery, increase in drug trafficking and terrorism, etc. Russia may also be uneasy at the erosion of its influence in Eurasia, while China increases its stranglehold over the regions resources, transportation and energy networks. Thus the massive copper deposits at Aynak discovered by Soviet experts are now being exploited by China.
Russia has accordingly tried to re-engage constructively in the region over the past few years. Apart from its activism in SCO and CSTO, Russia has intensified its involvement in Afghanistan, through the Russia-Afghan forum, the SCO-Afghan contact group and the CTSO7-Afghan working group. Despite severe funding constraints, Russia has also explored the possibilities of greater engagement in Afghanistans development programmes, such as restoring Soviet-era pipelines and hydroelectric stations, and investing in Afghanistans mineral, oil and gas deposits many of which were discovered by the Soviets.
Russia has moreover facilitated the transit of military supplies for NATO forces in Afghanistan through its territory, in addition to making available helicopters and other facilities. It is to be hoped that the stand-off regarding stationing of ballistic missile defences in the European theatre does not derail the developing understanding between the US, NATO and Russia for stabilising the region.
Russia may have also concluded that isolating Pakistan from any dialogue to stabilise the region would be counter-productive, and hence intensified its outreach to Pakistan. This explains the PART initiative in 2009 and why Russia publicly supported Pakistans membership in the SCO at the Moscow Summit of May 2011, with India also formally applying for SCO membership around this time.8 The bilateral Summit was a logical extension of this strategy.
Implications for India
A perennial question is whether a rapprochement between Russia and Pakistan will adversely impact Indo-Russian relations, particularly whether Russia will sell arms to Pakistan. The Russian Secretary of the Security Council and Pakistans Defence Minister were reportedly present at the talks at the recent Summit. Indias relationship with Russia is however too well entrenched to be easily disturbed, while the possibility of major Russian arms sales to Pakistan in the near future is remote. Russias outreach to Pakistan is a part of its efforts to stabilise this volatile region, and also part of its multi-vector diplomacy and desire to play a more meaningful role in Asia. Russia probably means to resurrect the role of honest broker it played at Tashkent, and India may thus expect a little more even-handedness from Russia. Other than that, India and Russia should not perceive each others relationships with other countries as a zero sum game.
Of far greater urgency, especially for India, is the need to address the worsening regional security situation. The Indian PMs visit to Afghanistan to forge a strategic partnership was a good move. But the effort to shape the agenda for regional cooperation and the contours of a peaceful Eurasia has to extend beyond Afghanistan by proactively reaching out to Russia, the Central Asian countries, the United States and other constructive partners like the EU, UN and the ADB, and even China to build connectivity and spheres for mutual engagement and cooperation.
The Summit has underlined the necessity for skilful regional diplomacy to manage the complex dynamics and fresh security challenges emerging in the region, which India would do well to factor into its own security strategy.
Smita Purushottam is Senior Fellow at IDSA. The views expressed are personal.
Source: IDSA
abbasniazi
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According to Express News Russian Army Chief Colonel General Postinkoff meets with Pakistani Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani....
It seems to be a significant break through between russia and pakistan, does it show a new strategic alliance between Pakistan, China, Russia and like minded countries against the US, India, Israel and others?
Have your say please...
It seems to be a significant break through between russia and pakistan, does it show a new strategic alliance between Pakistan, China, Russia and like minded countries against the US, India, Israel and others?
Have your say please...
nForce
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Fallout of the disqualification of the MIG-35D in MMRCA race??
SekrutYakhni
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All those fools thinking that Russia and Pakistan sit down is just a backstage makeup will realize their mistake soon.
Putin will announce something major in the near future.
Putin will announce something major in the near future.
roadrunner
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back then it was because Pakistan was allying with the US.
Pakistan is or has shifted towards China. It makes sense for Russia to move in as well. It's in the interests of China, Russia and Pakistan.
Pakistan is or has shifted towards China. It makes sense for Russia to move in as well. It's in the interests of China, Russia and Pakistan.
somebozo
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All Russian attempts to gain access to middle east via pakistan either by invading it or pressurizing it through India failed miserably.
Seconldy India cannot provide to Russia its most desperate needs of hour. Russian population is growing and it needs to boost its economy, it needs to flex its prowess of energy diplomacy and want to trade with the middle east more flexibly. All of that cannot be accomplished with indian bollywood mujra power.
While Russia has learned a lot from Sino-Pak friendship and realize that force will not solve anything. If Russia is to even rise again as a respectable power with access to middle east then it must respect and gain trust of Pakistan.
Inclusion of Pakistan as full SCO member has a lot of benefits of China, Russia and Khazikistan. Pakistan is sitting on a very strategic cross roads of trade and defence ties.
While India can flank all its wants about its time tested friendship, it has resulted in very poor gains for Russia indeed. Compared to what Pakistan has helped China accomplish in the middle east and around the world, the Russians are still standing on ground zero waiting for their so called ally.India out of its greed of power failed on all fronts to market its best ally.
Seconldy India cannot provide to Russia its most desperate needs of hour. Russian population is growing and it needs to boost its economy, it needs to flex its prowess of energy diplomacy and want to trade with the middle east more flexibly. All of that cannot be accomplished with indian bollywood mujra power.
While Russia has learned a lot from Sino-Pak friendship and realize that force will not solve anything. If Russia is to even rise again as a respectable power with access to middle east then it must respect and gain trust of Pakistan.
Inclusion of Pakistan as full SCO member has a lot of benefits of China, Russia and Khazikistan. Pakistan is sitting on a very strategic cross roads of trade and defence ties.
While India can flank all its wants about its time tested friendship, it has resulted in very poor gains for Russia indeed. Compared to what Pakistan has helped China accomplish in the middle east and around the world, the Russians are still standing on ground zero waiting for their so called ally.India out of its greed of power failed on all fronts to market its best ally.
roadrunner
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He's spelt the names wrong, but it's from here
Russian ground forces chief calls on Gen WynneRAWALPINDI: Colonel General Alexander Postnikov, C-in-C Russian Ground Forces called on General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at Joint Staff Headquarters Chaklala. He remained with CJCSC for some time and discussed matters of professional interest, and evolving geo strategic situation of the region. Colonel General Alexander Postnikov, C-in-C Russian Ground Forces also appreciated the role of Pakistan Armed Forces in fighting the menace of terrorism in the country.
www.onepakistan.com/.../102522-russ...chairman-joint-chiefs-of-staff-committee.html
jha
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CHECHENYA and MUSLIM UMMAH ..? anyone ..?
"Pakistan ummat-e-musalma " ki aakhri ummeed hai "..?
What happens when Russians shoot a couple of hundred Chechen Muzahids ..? I would love to see the relationship then..
"Pakistan ummat-e-musalma " ki aakhri ummeed hai "..?
What happens when Russians shoot a couple of hundred Chechen Muzahids ..? I would love to see the relationship then..
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