May 1, 2023 marked 75 years of diplomatic relations between Russia and Pakistan which is characterized by a common commitment to stability, security, and collaboration in the Eurasian area.
The diplomatic relationship between Russia and Pakistan is based on close cooperation, shared interests, and a commitment to peace and security in the Eurasian region. Energy and security are two areas where the two countries have a lot to gain from continuing to work together.
Both nations support a multipolar global order, the strengthening of the United Nations, and the implementation of international law in state-to-state interactions. In addition, Russia and Pakistan have an interest in combating terrorism and outside meddling in their domestic affairs.
Russia and Pakistan are also unified in their attitudes toward Middle Eastern events, especially the Syrian crisis and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Both nations promote peaceful conflict resolution and the formation of a multipolar global order. In addition, they show concern for the situation in Afghanistan, supporting national reconciliation and pushing for the Afghan people to take the lead in this process.
The Russian-Pakistani Consultative Group on Strategic Stability meets regularly to talk about how to keep weapons of mass destruction from getting into the wrong hands. Both countries have also pledged not to be the first to deploy any sort of weapon in outer space, with Pakistan co-authoring the relevant UN General Assembly resolution.
During the Ukraine crisis, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan went to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This raised questions about Pakistan’s diplomatic position in the conflict between Russia and the West. The media said that the purpose of the visit was to conclude discussions on a gas pipeline building project, although energy cooperation is not the focal point of Pakistan-Russia relations. Pakistan’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly resolution denouncing Russia’s actions in Ukraine is evidence of its position in international forums, which suggests neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Pakistan’s neutrality in Russia’s protracted conflict with the West is a reflection of its ambition to strengthen its involvement with other big nations that have significant influence over the security and economics of South and Central Asia.
Pakistan is a part of the Eurasian architecture, which is a plan by the Russian and Chinese “axis of convenience” to get the United States out of Eurasia. With the U.S. leaving Afghanistan, Pakistan wants to work more closely with other important countries in the region, just like it did with the U.S. during alliance times. This will help Pakistan reach its goals. Pakistan recognizes Russia as the ultimate guarantee of Eurasian security, as shown by Moscow’s involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its engagement in Kazakhstan to assure the survival of the country’s incumbent government. Pakistan’s geoeconomic vision and Vision Central Asia may rely heavily on Russia’s blessings, just as Moscow’s political and security vigilance is facilitating China’s economic forays in the area. Without Russia’s support, Pakistan would find it difficult, if not impossible, to collaborate on interregional connection projects with the Central Asian Republics.
Pakistan’s outreach to Russia is motivated by its aim to expand interaction with regional superpowers and to fulfill its own strategic, security, and economic objectives. Pakistan’s attitude toward the Russia-Ukraine conflict reflects its neutrality in the continuing struggle with the West and its emphasis on dealing with large nations that have considerable influence over the security and economics of South and Central Asia. Pakistan’s refusal to participate in the democracy summit and subsequent visits to Beijing and Moscow do not indicate a shift away from the liberal order and an embrace of autocratic regimes. Rather, they indicate that Pakistan is aware that after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Washington will pursue a strategy that focuses on China as a primary strategic threat and the Indo-Pacific region as a primary theatre of engagement.
Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister, Musadik Malik, stated in December 2022 that Russia will offer Pakistan subsidized crude oil and fuel. In addition, Russia has extended an invitation to Pakistan to begin discussions over the delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which might begin in 2025 or 2026. Pakistan greeted the news with hope, as its ailing economy might profit from inexpensive energy supplies.
Pakistan’s energy supply needs to grow by 8–10% to reach the growth rate it wants, which is 5–6%. The declaration that Russia will provide Pakistan with inexpensive electricity appeared to be a promising answer to Pakistan’s energy issues. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari affirmed during his visit to the United States that Pakistan was not chasing nor getting subsidized energy from Russia. Bhutto also said that Russian supplies could not materialize soon and would need some time to materialize.
Bhutto’s comments underlined the disparity between Musadik’s statements and the actual energy situation in Pakistan. It seems that Musadik was only able to open a dialogue over a prospective energy exchange with Russia. In addition to exploring economic potential in the energy industry, the recent visit of a Russian delegation to Pakistan led to conversations regarding negotiations, with both nations promising to discuss energy cooperation again in March. The ambiguity of the issue is exacerbated by the uncertainties surrounding the continuing negotiations, particularly concerns regarding the currency to be used for payments to Moscow.
Pakistan has always struggled to guarantee a consistent energy source. Many years of energy shortages have had a significant influence on the country’s economy. Pakistan’s reliance on imports to satisfy its energy needs has strained the country’s foreign currency reserves. Thus, the offer of cheap electricity from Russia was greeted with excitement, as it might have supplied Pakistan with a much-needed economic boost.
The inability to realize an instant energy trade with Russia underlines the difficulties Pakistan has in obtaining energy supplies. It is anticipated that the country’s energy consumption will increase, and Pakistan must develop sustainable methods to satisfy these demands. As discussions with Russia continue, Pakistan should examine other energy supply possibilities. This might include investments in renewable energy sources or the exploration of collaborations with other nations to diversify its energy supplies. While the news of discounted electricity from Russia was welcomed with joy in Pakistan, the actual situation is far more complicated. Pakistan has to find long-term solutions to fulfill its energy requirements, notwithstanding ongoing discussions with Russia.
The North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore is a great example of how both countries want to work together in the energy sector. Gazprom’s delivery of liquefied natural gas to Pakistan and the building of regional pipelines, like the Iran-Pakistan-India offshore gas pipeline, are two more ways that the two countries could work together.
Pakistan considers Russia a major world power and a key development partner. A diversified, long-term strategic cooperation between the two nations would be mutually advantageous for the peoples of Pakistan and the Russian Federation and would contribute to peace and stability in the region.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
