Free Students Note

 

History

·                Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1951, China and Pakistan have enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1950 and remained a steadfast ally during Beijing's period of international isolation in the 1960s and early 1970s.

·                China has long provided Pakistan with major military, technical, and economic assistance, including the transfer of sensitive nuclear technology and equipment. Some experts predict growing relations between the United States and rival India will ultimately prompt Pakistan to push for even closer ties with its longtime strategic security partner, China. Others say China's increased concern about Pakistan-based insurgency groups may cause Beijing to proceed with the relationship in a more cautious manner.

The India Question

         China and Pakistan have traditionally valued one another as a strategic hedge against India. "For China, Pakistan is a low-cost secondary deterrent to India," current Pakistani ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani told CFR.org in 2006, when he was a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "For Pakistan," he said, "China is a high-value guarantor of security against India.

         " Mutual enmity between India and Pakistan dates to partition in August 1947, when Britain relinquished its claim over the Indian subcontinent and divided its former colony into two states. Since then Pakistan and India have fought three wars and a number of low-level conflicts. Tensions remain high over the disputed territory of Kashmir with periodic military posturing on both sides of the border.

          India has long been perturbed by China's military aid to Pakistan. K. Alan Kronstadt, a specialist in South Asian affairs at the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, writes (PDF) that observers in India see Chinese support for Pakistan as "a key aspect of Beijing's perceived policy of 'encirclement' or constraint of India as a means of preventing or delaying New Delhi's ability to challenge Beijing's region-wide influence."                                                                                      

         China and India fought a border war in 1962, and both still claim the other is occu-pying large portions of their territory. "The 1962 Sino-Indian border conflict was a watershed moment for the region," says John W. Garver, professor of international relations at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "Both China and India incurred heavy costs on their economic development, and both sides shifted their policy over time to become more accommodating to growth."

 Military Bond

          China's role as a major arms supplier for Pakistan began in the 1960s and included assistance in building a number of arms factories in Pakistan and supplying complete weapons systems. "Until about 1990," write South Asia experts Elizabeth G. M. Parker and Teresita C. Schaffer in a July 2008 CSIS newsletter (PDF), "Beijing clearly sought to build up Pakistan to keep India off balance.

          " After the 1990 imposition of U.S. sanctions on Pakistan, China became the country's leading arms supplier. Collaboration now includes personnel training, joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism efforts. While the relationship is not quite balanced, it has been critically important to Pakistan. "Pakistan needs China more than China needs Pakistan," says Huang Jing, a China expert at the National University of Singapore. Pakistan has benefited from China's assistance with the following defense capabilities:

       Missile: Pakistan's army has both short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, such as the Shaheen missile series, that experts say are modifications of Chinese imports.

       Aircraft: The current fleet of the Pakistani Air Force includes Chinese interceptor and advanced trainer aircraft, as well as an Airborne Early Warning and Control radar system used to detect aircraft. Pakistan is producing the JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft jointly with China. The K-8 Karakorum light attack aircraft was also coproduced.

       Nuclear Program: China supplies Pakistan with nuclear technology and assistance, including what many experts suspect was the blueprint for Pakistan's nuclear bomb. Some news reports suggest Chinese security agencies knew about Pakistani transfers of nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea, and Libya. China was also accused of having long-standing ties with Abdul Qadeer Khan (A.Q. Khan), known as the father of the Pakistani nuclear program and head of an international black market nuclear network.

Bolstering Ties

          Since the late 1990s, economic concerns have gained prominence alongside the military-strategic aspect of the relationship; specifically, trade and energy have taken precedence. Over the years, frequent exchanges of high-level visits and contacts between the two countries have resulted in a number of bilateral trade agreements and investment commitments.

          Trade relations began shortly after the establishment of diplomatic ties in the early 1950s, and the two countries signed their first formal trade agreement in 1963. A comprehensive free trade agreement was signed in 2008, giving each country unprecedented market access to the other. Trade between Islamabad and Beijing now hovers around $7 billion a year, and both sides are set on raising the figure to $15 billion by 2010.

          The two countries have cooperated on a variety of large-scale infrastructure projects in Pakistan, including highways, gold and copper mines, major electricity complexes and power plants, and numerous nuclear power projects. With roughly ten thousand Chinese workers engaged in 120 projects in Pakistan, total Chinese investment--which includes heavy engineering, power generation, mining, and telecommunications--was valued at $4 billion in 2007 and is expected to rise to $15 billion by 2010. One of the most significant joint development projects of recent years is the major port complex at the naval base of Gwadar, located in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.

          The complex, inaugurated in December 2008 and now fully operational, provides a deep-sea port, warehouses, and industrial facilities for more than twenty countries. China provided much of the technical assistance and 80 percent of the funds for the construction of the port. In return for providing most of the labor and capital for the project, China gains strategic access to the Persian Gulf: the port is just 180 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz, through which 40 percent of all globally traded oil is shipped. This enables China to diversify and secure its crude oil import routes and provides the landlocked and oil and natural gas-rich Xinjiang Province with access to the Arabian Sea.

          As Pakistan continues to face economic woes with falling foreign investment, a weakening currency, and an underperforming stock market, securing closer economic cooperation with Beijing is seen as vital. Pakistan currently faces a growing balance of payments deficit, and China's capacity as a creditor may be able to correct Islamabad's urgent predicament. "China's huge foreign-exchange reserves," writes Kronstadt, "are a potential source of a major cash infusion."

Regional Cooperation

          Experts say all countries in the region are reevaluating their traditional positions. "Everyone in the region has learned to [develop] a relatively non-ideological set of policies," says Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a noted China expert and professor at the University of Michigan. As CSIS's Parker and Schaffer note, China has taken a more neutral position on India-Pakistan issues such as Kashmir in the past decade and a half, and has "begun to take the relationship with India more seriously." A case in point, they say, was China's dissatisfaction with Pakistani military action across the Line of Control, which separates India- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

          Pakistan is also not the only South Asian nation China is interested in strengthening ties with: Beijing has expanded its relations with Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives. "China has a clear-cut strategy for using its leverage in the region," says Ganguly of Indiana University. "They're going to continue to work with India's neighbors as a strategic hedge against New Delhi, but Pakistan will remain central to this strategy."

          Experts believe that any confrontation between India and Pakistan is not in China's interest and would put Beijing in the position of having to choose between the two countries and draw the United States further into the region. "In this sense," writes Kronstadt, "peace between India and Pakistan is in China's interest."

Agreements

          ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Friday inked 13 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation in economy, energy, banking, security and technology.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao witnessed the signing of documents as the respective ministers and officials of Pakistan and China inked them.Educational
         The Agreements and MoUs were signed to expand cooperation in the utilization, management, training, educational programmes and modernization of railways and to establish a long-term cooperative relationship on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.
The first Memorandum of Understanding on Reciprocal Establishment of Cultural Centers was signed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chinese Minister of Culture Cai Wu.Technical
         Second MoU on Strengthening Technical Cooperation and Pak-China Road Transport Activities between Ministry of Transport of China and Ministry of Communications of Pakistan was signed by Minister of Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Chinese Minister of Transport Li Shenglin.
An Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of Pakistan and Government of China, for grant of RMB 200 Million for flood reconstruction projects) Minister of Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Chinese Minister and China International Trade Representative Gao Hucheng.Exchange Commission
        The Agreement on launching of Urdu Program of China Radio International in Pakistan between China Radio International (CRI) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) was signed for broadcast on FM 93 (Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Kohat) and the programmes shall be in Urdu and English. The Agreement was inked by Director General PBC Ghulam Murtaza Solangi and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian.
       The MoU on Cooperation between Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Securities Regulatory Commission of China (SRCC) was inked by Commissioner SECP Tahir Mahmood and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian.

Natural Resources
       The MoU on Establishment of Energy Working Group between National Energy Administration of China and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan was signed by Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources Imtiaz Kazi and Vice Minister and Deputy Director Head of National Energy Administration Qian Zhimin.Loan Agreement
         A Government Concessional Loan Agreement on the Safe City Islamabad Project was also signed between Pakistan and EXIM bank of China and it was inked by Secretary EAD Sibtain Fazal Haleem and Vice President, China Exports and Import Bank Li Jun.
       An agreement for National Electronics Complex of Pakistan was signed by Chairman, NESCOM Irfan Burney and President, CETC Yan Lijin.Agriculture & Industrial
        An agreement to provide License to establish Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) by the State Bank of Pakistan was signed by Governor SBP Shahid Hafeez Kardar and President ICBC Yang Kaisheng.
        The Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Government of Pakistan and Government of China for the grant of RMB 200 Million for Agriculture related projects was inked by Minister of Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Chinese Minister and China International Trade Representative Gao Hucheng.Finance
      The Framework Agreement between China and Pakistan on Provisioning of Concessional loan by China to Pakistan - Non Intrusive vehicle X-ray Inspection System Project and was also signed by Minister of Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Chinese Minister and China International Trade Representative Gao Hucheng.
Government Concessional Loan Agreement on the Safe City Islamabad Project was also signed between Pakistan and EXIM bank of China and was inked by Secretary EAD Sibtain Fazal Haleem and Vice President, China Exports and Import Bank Li Jun.

Relations summary

         Chinese President Hu Jintao, making the first visit to Pakistan by a Chinese president in a decade, promised to bolster his country's ties with its old ally to a new level. Following are some of the most important events in relations between the two neighbours.

      1950 - Pakistan becomes third non-communist country, and first Muslim one, to recognize China.

      1951 - Beijing and at the time Karachi established diplomatic relations between themselves in the month of May.

      1970 - Pakistan helps US make contacts with China that result in visit to China by then US National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger in 1971.

      1978 - Karakoram Highway linking mountainous Northern Pakistan with Western China officially opens.

      1980s - China and US supply help through Pakistan to Afghan guerrillas fighting Soviet occupational forces.

      1986 - China and Pakistan reach comprehensive nuclear Co-operation Agreement.

      1996 - Chinese President Jiang Zemin pays state visit to Pakistan.

      1999 - A 300-megawatt nuclear power plant, built with Chinese help in Punjab province, is completed. China is helping to build a second 300-megawatt nuclear plant due to be finished by 2010.

      2001 - A joint-ventured Chinese-Pakistani tank, the MBT-2000 (Al-Khalid) MBT, comes into full production.

      2002 - Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo attends ground-breaking ceremony for Pakistan's Gwadar deep-sea port. China provides $198 million for $248 million joint project.

      2003 - Pakistan and China signed a $110 million contract for the construction of a housing project on Multan Road in Lahore^[28]

      2007 - Sino- became Pakistan's biggest arms supplier with no strings attached, a true "strategic partnership".

      2007 - Sino-Pakistani joint-ventured multirole fighter aircraft - JF-17 Thunder (FC-1 Fierce Dragon) is formally rolled out. 2008, Pakistan starts mass production of the aircraft.

      2008 - China warns US of war against Pakistan, during which former president, Pervez Musharraf, visits China, Musharraf raised issues of US attacks inside Pakistan.

      Pakistan's foreign office (the first foreign issue to speak of Tibet) speaks for more than three times per month on the Tibet issue, calling for the world to stop opposing China and the Olympic Games.

      Pakistan welcomes China's Olympic Torch warmly, and did not protest against Tibet when the torch arrived. In fact, when the torch passed through the rural hinterland of the capital Islamabad, local villagers showered rose petals upon the procession. As a result, China thanked Pakistan for its continuous support.

      2008 During the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, Pakistan almost emptied its national storage of tents to support China.

      2008 China and Pakistan sign an FTA (free trade agreement). It is the first such agreement signed by the two countries. As a direct result China has opened new industries in Pakistan and Pakistan has been given free trade zones in China.

      2008 China vows to help Pakistan in civil nuclear technology by building and helping in the Khusab Nuclear Programme providing technology to Pakistan for better maintenance of civil nuclear plants.

      2008 Pakistan and China to build first ever train route through the Karakoram Highway, ultimately linking China's rail route-net to Gwadar Port.

      2008 The F-22P frigate, comes into service with the Pakistani Navy. The first frigate was inducted in Pakistani Navy in July 2009 and last one is expected to be in 2013.^[29]

      2009 Pakistani intelligence agencies helped the Chinese government of catching several suspected Uyghur terrorists seeking haven in Pakistan and planning to launch illegal operations.

      2009 Growing military ties between China and Pakistan are a serious concern to India, Defense Minister A.K. Antony said on Friday, in the latest display of a prickly rivalry between New Delhi and its neighbors. India worries about China's rising influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, a neighborhood New Delhi has traditionally considered as its sphere of influence.^[30]

      2010 Pakistan and China have a joint military drill for anti terrorism. China donates $260 million (USD) to flood hit Pakistan and further sends 4 military rescue helicopters to Pakistan to assist in rescue operations, it was the first time China has ever sent such rescue operations overseas. Sino-Pak relations proved to be "All-Weathered-Friends".

      2010 On 6th July, 2010, President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in China on a five days official visit. Besides attending Shinghai Expo, the largest business festival ever, he also met Chinese President and strengthened bilateral ties to promote more trade between the two states.

      2010 Wen Jiabao visited Pakistan. More than 30 billion US dollars of deals were signed. Pakistan China friendship center was inaugurated in Islamabad by Prime Minister of China Wen Jiabao.^[31]

History

            

            In September, 1947, Afghanistan became the only nation in the world to oppose

Pakistan’s entry into the United Nations citing the Pashtunistan debate. This

opposition did much to jaundice relations between the two states early in

Pakistan’s life. It was seen as particularly hurtful coming from a fellow Muslim

country, given Pakistan’s difficult transition into statehood and the existential

threat it faced then from India.

Further, Afghanistan’s posture added to the

          Afghanistan–Pakistan relations began in 1949 after British India was partitioned into the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan are usually described as inseparable states due to their historical, religious, cultural, linguistic, and ethnic ties, as well as their multiple trade and economic ties.^[1] Both neighbouring states are Islamic republics and part of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. However, the relationship between the two has been affected by the Durand Line, the issues of Pashtunistan and Balochistan, the 1980s Soviet war, the rise of the Taliban, the 2001-present war in Afghanistan, and Afghanistan's relations with India and Shia Iran.

The Durand Line

          The Afghan government does not recognize the Durand Line as the official border between the two states, claiming that the Durand Line Agreement has been void in the past due to violations by Pakistan as well as other reasons. Pakistan, on the other side, issued a warning to Afghanistan that it would not "tolerate any violations of its borders".^[6]

          Relations have continued to be strained, as several top Afghan officials stated that they are weary of Pakistan's negative influence in the country. The Afghan government usually accuses Pakistan of using its intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in aiding the Taliban militants. Pakistan has denied the allegations but has said it does not have full control of the actions of the ISI. Relations became even more strained as the United States supports an Afghan invasion of rogue tribal regions.^[7]

Other contemporary issues

Further information: Afghan civil war and Afghan refugees

            Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the Pakistani government played a vital role in supporting the Mujahideen and assisting Afghan refugees. Pakistan absorbed an estimated 3 million refugees and provided shelter, education, and places to work. After the Soviet withdrawal in February 1989, Pakistan, with cooperation from the world community, continued to provide extensive support for displaced Afghans. In 1999, the United States provided approximately $70 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in Pakistan, mainly through multilateral organizations and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

              Afghan President Hamid Karzai with U.S. President Barack Obama and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari during a US-Afghan-Pakistan Trilateral meeting at the White House in Washington, DC.

Pakistani strategists view Afghanistan as providing "strategic depth" in the event of a war with neighboring India. In the event that the Indian Army crosses into Pakistan, the Pakistan Army would temporary locate supplies in Afghanistan and prepare for a counter-offensive. Furthermore, many Pakistanis see in Afghanistan and Afghans a common bond based on religion, history, culture, language and ethnic ties. At various times, Pakistan backed the mujahideen against the Soviets, mujahideen against each other and the Taliban against the Iranian-backed Northern Alliance.

          The overthrow of the Taliban regime in November 2001 has seen somewhat strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The present Karzai administration in Kabul feels that the remnants of the former Taliban government are being supported by factions within Pakistan for the same above reasons. However, Pakistan has said the government cannot control all elements of its intelligence agency, the ISI, which several countries accuse of contributing to instability in Afghanistan. In 2006 Afghan President Hamid Karzai warned that "Iran and Pakistan and others are not fooling anyone" when it come to interfering in his country.

          "If they don’t stop, the consequences will be … that the region will suffer with us equally. In the past we have suffered alone; this time everybody will suffer with us.… Any effort to divide Afghanistan ethnically or weaken it will create the same thing in the neighboring countries. All the countries in the neighborhood have the same ethnic groups that we have, so they should know that it is a different ball game this time

Other contemporary issues

Further information: Afghan civil war and Afghan refugees

            Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the Pakistani government played a vital role in supporting the Mujahideen and assisting Afghan refugees. Pakistan absorbed an estimated 3 million refugees and provided shelter, education, and places to work. After the Soviet withdrawal in February 1989, Pakistan, with cooperation from the world community, continued to provide extensive support for displaced Afghans. In 1999, the United States provided approximately $70 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in Pakistan, mainly through multilateral organizations and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

           Afghan President Hamid Karzai with U.S. President Barack Obama and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari during a US-Afghan-Pakistan Trilateral meeting at the White House in Washington, DC.Pakistani strategists view Afghanistan as providing "strategic depth" in the event of a war with neighboring India. In the event that the Indian Army crosses into Pakistan, the Pakistan Army would temporary locate supplies in Afghanistan and prepare for a counter-offensive. Furthermore, many Pakistanis see in Afghanistan and Afghans a common bond based on religion, history, culture, language and ethnic ties. At various times, Pakistan backed the mujahideen against the Soviets, mujahideen against each other and the Taliban against the Iranian-backed Northern Alliance.

          The overthrow of the Taliban regime in November 2001 has seen somewhat strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The present Karzai administration in Kabul feels that the remnants of the former Taliban government are being supported by factions within Pakistan for the same above reasons. However, Pakistan has said the government cannot control all elements of its intelligence agency, the ISI, which several countries accuse of contributing to instability in Afghanistan. In 2006 Afghan President Hamid Karzai warned that "Iran and Pakistan and others are not fooling anyone" when it come to interfering in his country.

          "If they don’t stop, the consequences will be … that the region will suffer with us equally. In the past we have suffered alone; this time everybody will suffer with us.… Any effort to divide Afghanistan ethnically or weaken it will create the same thing in the neighboring countries. All the countries in the neighborhood have the same ethnic groups that we have, so they should know that it is a different ball game this time

           The tribal territories bounded by the Durand Line and the limits of the NWFP

were not included in the partition referendum as technically they were

autonomous from British control. Therefore, all quasi‐constitutional

arrangements between the tribes and the British government lapsed on August

14, 1947, as an Pakistan was proclaimed. However, a tribal Jirga11 was held in

November and December of 1947. All major tribes at the Jirga decided to transfer

their allegiance to the new state of Pakistan, particularly in view of a greater

grant of autonomy and the withdrawal of all Pakistani military presence12. This

was followed by written confirmations and treaties.

           A measure of the thaw in relations between the two countries was evident in

Kabul’s military restraint in this period. Pakistan and India had gone to war in

1965 and 1971. Pakistan’s forces were spread deadly thin during both conflicts.

             However, Kabul refrained from taking advantage of its weakness and in fact,

provided both material and moral support to Pakistan52.

Unfortunately, Islamabad has failed to see the historical, and indeed, historic

lesson inherent in Kabul’s support during its wars with India. Seeking good

terms with a government in Kabul eased Pakistan’s security concerns against

India in a more substantial way than its quest for a pliable government has been

able to to‐date.

Mutual Intervention

           Relations again cooled when Daud Khan returned to power in a leftist inspired

military coup in 1973 that abolished the monarchy and established the Republic

of Afghanistan. The change in state structures was cosmetic; as before Daud

ruled through coercive military strength and in consultation with a Loya Jirga that

had no power to bind him. Pashtunistan was part of the justification provided for

the coup; Daud claimed that the King had not sufficiently exploited Pakistan’s

military and political weakness to its advantage, particularly after the 1971 loss

of East Pakistan53.

Trade

             Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has come to a standstill after the provincial government of north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa imposed a ban on animal export, followed immediately by the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) decision to block over 10,000 Afghanistan-bound trucks at the Karachi Port, said an official requesting anonymity. “FBR officials had stopped many trucks at the Karachi Port for the past three months without any reason, said Pak-Afghan Transit Trade Group Senior Vice-President Abdul Hamid Gorwara. Traders and customs clearing agents of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have also launched a protest campaign in Peshawar

       National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski writes a memo to President Jimmy Carter about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which has just begun (see December 8, 1979). Brzezinski focuses on fears that success in Afghanistan could give the Soviets access to the Indian Ocean, even though Afghanistan is a landlocked country. He suggests the US should continue aid to the Afghan mujaheddin, which actually began before the war and spurred the Soviets to invade (see 1978 and July 3, 1979).

          He says, “This means more money as well as arms shipments to the rebels and some technical advice.” He does not give any warning that such aid will strengthen Islamic fundamentalism. He also concludes, “[W]e must both reassure Pakistan and encourage it to help the rebels. This will require a review of our policy toward Pakistan, more guarantees to it, more arms aid, and alas, a decision that our security problem toward Pakistan cannot be dictated by our nonproliferation policy.” Carter apparently accepts Brzezinski’s advice. Author Joe Trento will later comment, “With that, the United States agreed to let a country admittedly in turmoil proceed to develop nuclear weapons.” [TRENTO, 2005, PP. 167-168]                                                  

         Trento and fellow author David Armstrong will add: “Once [Pakistan] became a partner in the anti-Soviet Afghan campaign and the Carter administration adopted a more lenient view of Pakistan’s nuclear activities,.

                

Pakistan And Russia

History
            Pakistan–Russian relations (Russian: Российско-пакистанские отношения) refers to the bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Russian Federation. The countries established diplomatic relations on 1 May 1948. Relations between the two countries have been strained in the past because of Russia's strong relations with India, Pakistan's arch-rival and also because of Pakistan's foundation and support of Mujahideen rebels during Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

           Under military leader Ayub Khan, Pakistan sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union; trade and cultural exchanges between two countries increased between 1966 and 1971. However, Soviet criticism of Pakistan's position in the 1971 war with India weakened bilateral relations, and many Pakistanis believed that the August 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Peace and Cooperation encouraged Indian belligerency. Subsequent Soviet arms sales to India, amounting to billions of dollars on concessional terms, reinforced this argument.

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       Relations summary

          Pakistan’s relations with the Russian Federation, which emerged as the successor state to the USSR after its dissolution in December 1991, are quite naturally inseparable from the legacy of more than four decades of Pak-Soviet relations. Historically these relations were unsatisfactory. USSR perceived Pakistan in the military aspects sponsored by the US and Pakistan’s friendship with China in the context of the Cold War, while Pakistan felt threatened due to USSR close relations with India.

          The Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan once again dealt a serious blow to Pak-Soviet relations. Pakistan felt a direct threat to its security from the presence of Soviet forces in Afghanistan while USSR demanded accommodation in Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan and predicated the entire bilateral relationship on its response. The collapes of Soviet Union provided an opportunity for a new beginning in Pak-Russia relations, which was taken up by both sides. High-level bilateral contacts took place between Pakistan and the Russian Federation immediately thereafter. In November 1991. Pakistan’s minister of state for economics affairs visited Moscow followed by his well-Known tour of the Central Asian States. It was the first ministerial visit from Pakistan to the Russian Federation after years of neglect by past government and contributed significantly to the opening a new chapter of relations with Russia.

            Several high-level exchanges of trips have taken place between the two sides since then, which include the visits of the vice-president (December 1991), foreign minister (July 1993) and first deputy foreign minister (May 1994) to Pakistan and those of Pakistan’s then secretary-general of foreign affairs (September 1992) and the foreign minister (July 1994). A broad range of bilateral issues was discussed during these visits, which, besides other areas of co-operation, also included collaboration in the fields of defense outer space technology and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The exchange of these visits in indicated the Russian desire to upgrade relations with Pakistan and was a radical departure from the previous Soviet policy.

          There are several other indication to show that Pakistan’s desire for a normal relation-ship with Russia, which is also reciprocated by Russian Federation. Pakistan had been appreciative of Russian balanced approach towards South Asia and attached independence significance “to its relations with Pakistan.” While Russian tried to maintain its traditionally close cooperation with India, it may not have a special relationship with that country at the expense to its ties with Pakistan. The Indians were not pleased with the development but the fact was that India has lost it strategic value. After the end of the cold war and the normalization of china-Russia relations, India no longer enjoyed the importance.

         The relation between Pakistan and Russia began to develop, when Russia made concern on Kashmir issue, non-proliferation or the sale of defense equipment by Russia to Pakistan. Russia had moved away from its unconditional support to India on these issues. Russia’s expression of deep concern in October 1993 over the aggravation of the human rights situation in connection with the Hazartbal siege and its call upon all sides to work for a positive solution through peaceful means. This new development received the considerable concern in India. The Indians were also disappointed when the Russian leader made no statement on the Kashmir issue during Indian Prime Minister visit to Moscow in July 1994.

        The Russian Federation did not oppose Pakistan’s resolution in the UN General Assembly on the nuclear-free zone in South Asia for the first time in 17 years in 1991. But it voted in favour of the proposal of Pakistan for first time in history Pakistan and Russia also pleaded for promotion of peace and stability in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Russia demanded for the containment of turmoil to Central Asian States. Pakistan also sought tranquility and peace and to develop mutually beneficial co-operation with Afghanistan and Central Asian States.


         Pakistan and Russia co-operated in the UN-sponsored talks on Tajikistan. Russia had been using its influence over the Tajik government while Pakistan doing the same. These rounds of talks held in Tehran and Islamabad in 1994. The Russian president extended the invitation to Pakistan’s Premier to visit Russia, which showed a balanced approach for the established of good relation with Pakistan.

        At minister level many trips visited both the countries for normalization of relations between Russia and Pakistan. New era of co-operation of scholars had played an important role in normalization of relations between the both countries. Leader of the Russian Parliament visited Pakistan in September 1998 and disclosed that Russia was ready to supply military hardware to Pakistan. He also said the Russian technology could find its way into many fields of Pakistan markets.


         In April 1999 the Pakistan Prime Minister visited Moscow, which was the first visit to Russia by a Pakistani Head of Government after twenty five years and the first ever between Pakistan and the Russian Federation. During the visit many important bilateral issues, as well as a whole range of regional and global issues of common concern, came under discussion. Some important documents were signed. Inter-Governmental Agreement on Trade and Economic Co-operation and an agreement on co-operation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries were concluded. It was also agreed to establish a Joint Inter-Government Ministerial Commission on Economic. Trade, Scientific and Technological Co-operation.

         Recently Pakistan purchased transport helicopters from Russia. Another big deal involving “Kamaz” trucks in the being negotiated while a joint venture for producing small cars is in the offing. Although, trade between Pakistan and Russia has declined in recent years owing to the economic crises in both the countries, serious efforts are being made to revive the bilateral trade as well.


          Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Russia, which it feels has an important role to play in peace and stability in Asia and particularly in South Asia. It is desirous of expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia in all spheres, which can contribute to the peace and stability of region. Russia shares this desire and also recognize the importance of Pakistan in peace and stability of south Asia and South Central Asia. Based on their keenness for close and cooperative relations, the two countries are moving towards a more fruitful relationship. Pakistan welcomes the fact that Russia is in the process of evolving a more even handed approach towards the major countries in South Asia and believes that Russia could act as a mediator for the establishment of a congenial atmosphere in South Asia conducive to the economic development of the region.

         Realizing the importance of Pakistan in the region. Russia intended to improve relations with Pakistan by offering help to ailing economic condition of Pakistan. It also offered to Pakistan to sell its armaments. The danger of National Missile Defense programme of United States also made Russia closer to Pakistan along with China.On the invitation of Russian Government the President of Pakistan visited Russia on an official visit in February 2003 and concluded many pacts of friendship and mutual understanding. Thus Pakistan began to enjoy a pivotal position in the region.

 Pakistan and War on Terror

          Later on, Government of Pakistan changed its policy towards Taliban when it joined U.S. forces in helping to overthrow them following the September 11 attacks in the U.S. in 2001. The Decision of Pakistan to join the international struggle against terrorism has led to Russia-Pakistan relations being greatly improved.

Soviet-Pakistan tensions

       The U-2 incident in 1960 severely compromised Pakistan security and worsened relations between the Soviet Union and Pakistan. As an attempt to put up a bold front, Pakistani General Khalid Mahmud Arif while commenting on the incident stated that, "Pakistan felt deceived because the US had kept her in the dark about such clandestine spy operations launched from Pakistan’s territory." During the 1980s, tensions increased between the Soviet Union and Pakistan because of the latter's key role in helping to organize political and material support for the Afghan rebel forces. 

         The withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan and the collapse of the former Soviet Union resulted in significantly improved bilateral relations, but Pakistan's support for and recognition of the Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan remained an ongoing source of tension. Since the 1990s Pakistan always backed the Tatars for their independence as per recognition of Republic of Tatarstan and the Caucasus Emirates as separate nation-states from the USSR as un-finished business.

Improvement in relations

           Vladimir Putin (left) meeting Pervez Musharraf (right) in 2002

           1985-04-26, at about 18:00 pm, a group of captives (Soviet and DRA) rose in rebellion against their captors. They used the moment when only two of 70 mujahideen were guarding the prison, since the other personnel were gathered on the drill square to perform the evening prayers known as namaz. The captives penetrated the armoury, took weapons and ammunition and tried to escape. (Some sources say that the main objective was to capture the fortress' radio center and go on-air and report the prison's location.)^[1]

          The escape was sabotaged when Haist Gol, the Badaber lead guard, came to know about it and raised the alarm in the base. He took all possible measures to prevent the escape of the captives.^[3] The captives were forced to stay in the base and seized the key points in the fortress. Mujahideen detachments, as well as infantry, tank and artillery units of 11th Pakistan Army Corps quickly blocked the fortress area. Several attempts to recapture the fortress were repelled by the defending captives.

          Burhanuddin Rabbani, then leader of Jamiat-e Islami, arrived at the base on 21:00 pm and began negotiations. He proposed that the captives surrender and promised their lives would be spared. The defending captives put forth demands to meet with a Soviet or Afghanistan ambassador in Pakistan and representatives from the Red Cross. They threatened to blow up the armoury if their demands were not met. Rabbani rejected these demands, fuelling attacks that continued all night.^[1]

         By 08:00 am on 1985-04-27, it became clear that the revolt would not end. Rabbani missed being hit by deadly rockets shots from the fortress, but his bodyguard received serious shrapnel wounds in the attack.^[1] The Jamiat-e Islami leader decided to finish the battle with an all-out assault on the fort. He drew on artillery units, in particular rocket systems 9K51 Grad, tanks and even Pakistan Air Force helicopters to use against the defenders.

        How the revolt ended is viewed differently by each side. Some say that one of the artillery shells struck the armoury building, setting off an overwhelming explosion. The series of explosions practically levelled the prison at Badaber. Three wounded and shell-shocked survivors were dragged to the walls and blown up by attackers using hand grenades.

          Russia vowed its support for Pakistan as Pakistan fight against the Taliban militants. In 2007, the relations between Pakistan and the Russian Federation were reactivated after the 3-day official visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. He was the first Russian prime minister to visit Pakistan in the post Soviet Union era in 38 years. He had "in-depth discussions" with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. 

        The major focus of the visit was to improve bilateral relations with particular emphasis on ways and means to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. Under the Presidency of Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani relations between Pakistan and Russia have improved significantly. In 2010, Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated that Russia was against developing strategic and military ties with Pakistan

      Other sources said that the defenders blew the armoury up themselves, after it became clear that the battle was in vain.

Petroleum and Natural Resources

        ISLAMABAD, May 1 Asia Pulse - Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Nouraiz Shakoor has invited RNGS, a Russian company privatised as a joint stock company with worldwide activities, to participate in oil and gas exploration activities in Pakistan.

The minister made this offer to a six-member delegation of RNGS, led by its managing director, Ms. Elena Badamiants, who called on him in Islamabad.

Nouraiz Shakoor informed the delegation that the government has been offering an attractive package of incentives to foreign investors in oil and gas exploration and production activities envisaged in the Petroleum

Pakistan and Russia deals:-

     These are as under:-

      Census(section Pakistan)

o   Pakistan: The first Pakistan i census after the proclamation of independence was conducted in 1951. ... Russia and USSR: In Russia , the first .

      Timeline of Indian history(section Dominion of Pakistan)

o   2009: February - India and Russia sign deals worth $700m, according ... 1971: East Pakistan attempts to secede, leading to civil war; India ...

      Public university(section Pakistan)

o   the government, but with the University Grants Commission , which in turn deals with the government. ... Pakistan: List of universities in Pakistan ...

      Bachelor's degree(section Pakistan)

o   and in Maltese , Singapore an, Australia n, Pakistan i, New Zealand , Scottish , Sri Lanka n, ... Russia and Ukraine: The Specialist's degree ...

      Chevrolet(section Pakistan)

o   Pakistan ... Also, a joint venture between GM and Russian AvtoVAZ from 2002 makes the Chevrolet Niva, an SUV especially for Russian market and ...

      Illegal immigration(section Pakistan)

o   Brazil had last legalized all immigrants in 1998; bilateral deals, one of which ... Pakistan: Immigration to Pakistan#Illegal immigration ...

      Ombudsman(section Pakistan)

o   law number 13/1987, which deals with complaints against the government. ... Pakistan: In Pakistan, the establishment of the institution of ...

      Nuclear proliferation(section Pakistan)

o   acquired, nuclear weapons: India , Pakistan , North Korea , and Israel . ... In 2001 a final agreement was signed with Russia for the ...

      Foreign relations of India(section Pakistan)

o   other Nuclear Suppliers Group members to sign similar deals with India. ... Despite reports of atrocities in East Pakistan , and being told, ...

      War in Afghanistan (2001–present)(section Coalition issues with Pakistan)

o   troops apparently landed on Pakistani soil to carry out an operation ... China, and Russia, Afghanistan also holds strategic significance ...

      Health care system(section Pakistan)

o   It deals with the resources, devices and methods required to optimize the acquisition, storage, retrieval and ... Pakistan: Health in Pakistan ...

      Foreign relations of Israel(section Pakistan)

o   belief that should diplomatic relations with Pakistan be established, then Pakistan could ... Russia and the Soviet Union: Israel–Russia relations ...

      Secondary education(section Pakistan)

o   Pakistan: Education in Pakistan. Secondary education in Pakistan... Russia: Education in Russia#Secondary school | l1 Secondary education in Russia ...

      Fiat(section Pakistan)Italy , France , Turkey , India , Pakistan , China , Serbia and Russia . ... company that also deals with the management of real estate properties. ...

      Iran–Pakistan relations

o   Relations between Pakistan and Iran date back to the common prehistoric Indo- ... Pakistan became intermediary in several of defense deals of ...

      International Financial Reporting Standards(section Pakistan)

o   Pakistan , GCC countries , Russia, South Africa, Singapore and Turkey . ... Pakistan: abeyance by State Bank of Pakistan for Banks and DFIs IFRS- ...

      Foreign relations of Turkmenistan(section Pakistan)

o   Pakistan... Recently, Russian-Turkmenistan relations have revolved around Russia's efforts to secure natural gas export deals from ...

      Constitutional crisis(section Pakistan)

o    Pakistan... The constitutional crisis of 1993 : a conflict between Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the Russian parliament led by Ruslan ...