Russia’s Foreign Minister visits Pakistan to enhance ties

Lavrov’s trip to Afghanistan wasn’t just a friendly gesture as Russia and Pakistan are seeking joint understanding on the after-Afghan withdrawal scenario. The issue is quite burning as the entire region will be under threat after the Coalition troops leave Afghanistan in 2014, says senior research fellow at the Institute for World Economy and International Relations Pyotr Topychkanov.

"Russia and Pakistan need to work on joint actions as they will be the first affected by the withdrawal as well as Afghanistan’s neighboring countries. Russia and Pakistan also have common interests in economy and trade and need to boost their turnover. A number of Russian companies are interested in enhancing ties in energy, transport, infrastructure and communications while Pakistan eyes Russian military hardware, mainly helicopters and transport vehicles. Pakistani engineer troops are crucial for both security and civil defense as they clear up the aftermaths of frequent floods and build new roads in the country."

Recently, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Moscow proving Pakistan’s interest in military cooperation and Russia’s readiness for it, says the head of the Center of Socio-Political Research, Vladimir Evseev.

"Russia might begin working with Pakistan the same as it does with other countries, that is providing loans to purchase weapons. Pakistan is highly interested in anti-missile defense systems which Russia has."

Pakistan has been trying to bridge military and technical cooperation with Russia for a long time but this was hampered by one of Russia’s key partners, India. Now experts believe that Russia is likely to revise its approach though India would still restrict military partnership with Pakistan.

Mikhail Aristov 

The Voice of Russia