Pakistan wants Russian engagement in Afghan peace process

[Edevelop]

ISLAMABAD: Brushing aside the notion that Russian defence minister’s recently concluded visit to Pakistan might annoy New Delhi and Washington, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday said improvement in ties between Islamabad and Moscow are not at the cost of relations with other countries.

Speaking exclusively to Dawn.com, he termed it Pakistan’s independent diplomacy and said, “Russia is a great regional power and Pakistan cannot ignore it”.

“After US/Nato forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, security would be a bigger challenge for Afghanistan… and Pakistan wants Russian engagement in Afghan peace process,” he said.

“We must forget what Russia did in the past and look forward to a new beginning in the region.”

Also read: ‘Milestone’ military cooperation pact signed with Russia

“Pakistan terms Russia and China's presence in the region as source of peace and stability and that is why all three are getting closer on strategic matters,” Khawaja Asif remarked pointing towards a major shift in Pakistan's foreign and security policy.

On relations with India, the defence minister said his Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu was briefed about the prevailing situation at eastern borders and relations with India in general. He said that the briefing given to Gen Shoigu was very important ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India later this year.

‘Final go ahead to purchase MI-35 helicopters’

In a major breakthrough after Russia lifted arms sales embargo to Pakistan earlier this year, Defence Minister Asif said that a “final go ahead” for the purchase of Russian MI-35 gunship helicopters has been given.

“The matter remained under consideration for many months… now we have given Russians final go ahead for the purchase of these helicopters,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said.

Know more: Deal to sell MI-35 helicopters 'politically approved': Russian envoy

The minister said that the gunship helicopters would be used in the ongoing war against terrorism by Pakistani security forces.

“Russia has moved up Pakistan in its category B from D for arms sales, which means that Pakistan can now buy weapons from Russian market,” he revealed.


Pakistan wants Russian engagement in Afghan peace process - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

 

[Kompromat]

Turkey, GCC, US, China and now Russia. Pakistan must keep these stakeholders in Afghanistan. This by design means that Indian designs would be at odds with global and regional powers. This is the only way our dhoti wala friends can be deterred from stirring up another civil war when things don't go their way.

 

[jay89]

Keeping all the big guns on our side will definitely prevail long lasting peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. India will be left alone if Russia joins China, Turkey and GCC.

 

[Levina]

RUSSIA has only marginal interests in Pakistan and sees Afghanistan largely in terms of containment.Russia has important future interests in Iran,Iraq and gulf region than in Afghanistan and Pakistan.Russia concerns center mainly over Caspian,China and central Asia.
Now that doesnt mean Russia will not support efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan and provide some aid and investment as that works in Russia's favor.
So lets stop jumping into conclusions.

Russia lifted arms sales embargo to Pakistan earlier this year

Russia needs money at this point of time and ergo the step.

This is another proof of the same...

Russia has moved up Pakistan in its category B from D for arms sales, which means that Pakistan can now buy weapons from Russian market,”

Those 're some dead investments Mr.Putin.

 

[Rajput_Pakistani]

RUSSIA has only marginal interests in Pakistan and sees Afghanistan largely in terms of containment.Russia has important future interests in Iran,Iraq and gulf region than in Afghanistan and Pakistan.Russia concerns center mainly over Caspian,China and central Asia.
Now that doesnt mean Russia will not support efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan and provide some aid and investment as that works in Russia's favor.
So lets stop jumping into conclusions.


Russia needs money at this point of time and ergo the step.

This is another proof of the same...

Those 're some dead investments Mr.Putin.

Geography Lesson 101:

Pakistan and Afghanistan lie between Russia and Iran/Iraq & Gulf.
and Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia are the matter of survival for Russia after its relationship with West are in cold due to Ukraine issue.

 

[Levina]

Geography Lesson 101:

any comprehensions issues???

Pakistan and Afghanistan lie between Russia and Iran/Iraq & Gulf.

Lolzz

and Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia are the matter of survival for Russia after its relationship with West are in cold due to Ukraine issue.

Now let me explain it to you again

• Russians need money and the arms supplied to you would fetch 'em just that. Russia knows this game well,Moscow'll play it safe to ensure that its moves do not anger India, Russia's main strategic partner in the region.Lolzz
• India last year purchased $3.8 billion worth of Russian arms thats far ahead of the $981 million worth it purchased from the U.S., according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).Now thats far higher than the peanuts they're going to get from small deals with other countries like Pakistan.(Russia's recorded exports to Pakistan were valued at a mere $22 million, according to SIPRI) .
• In the run-up to the SCO's summit ( Shanghai Cooperation Organization) in Ufa in July 2015 Russia will be courting the two countries(India and Pakistan) … and will avoid doing controversial things, such as active defense cooperation with Islamabad.

 

[chhota bheem]

Geography Lesson 101:

Pakistan and Afghanistan lie between Russia and Iran/Iraq & Gulf.
and Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia are the matter of survival for Russia after its relationship with West are in cold due to Ukraine issue.

Hight time you change your books .

Geography Lesson 101 ...has a wrong map.
Now check a real map and tell me where does pakistan come in between.

 

[Levina]

Hight time you change your books .

Geography Lesson 101 ...has a wrong map.
Now check a real map and tell me where does pakistan come in between.

They've been studying the wrong history and geography books ...include civics too.
whatever happened to the economics book!!
Overall poor in social studies is what i conclude.

 

[Rajput_Pakistani]

any comprehensions issues???


did i say otherwise?

Now let me explain it to you again

• Russians need money and the arms supplied to you would fetch 'em just that. Russia knows this game well,Moscow'll play it safe to ensure that its moves do not anger India, Russia's main strategic partner in the region.Lolzz
• India last year purchased $3.8 billion worth of Russian arms thats far ahead of the $981 million worth it purchased from the U.S., according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).Now thats far higher than the peanuts they're going to get from small deals with other countries like Pakistan.(Russia's recorded exports to Pakistan were valued at a mere $22 million, according to SIPRI) .
• In the run-up to the SCO's summit ( Shanghai Cooperation Organization) in Ufa in July 2015 Russia will be courting the two countries(India and Pakistan) … and will avoid doing controversial things, such as active defense cooperation with Islamabad.

Madam, i think comprehension issue is at your side, i remind you of the geography because of your saying that Afghanistan & Pakistan are not important to Russia rather Iran/Iraq and Gulf are..

Secondly, Russian, Pakistan relationship are not limited to defence only. What is the significance of some few million dollars or even 3.8 billions dollers worth of weapons you purchased from Russia? Russian GDP is well over 2100 Billion dollars.
Its the leverage what countries get by selling weapons to smaller countries.

Diplomatically Russian interest is in a peaceful Afghanistan, so that Russia could supply its gas and oil to India and beyond. Its also important for Russia for finding new markets.
Spread of extremism and terrorism through Central Asia right into the heart of Russia is a big concern for them. Thats why they want to engage Pakistan into a long term strategic partnership. Its not debatable how much Pakistan is important for Afghan & Central Asia. Many times more then India (whether India likes it or not).

And for your last point, what are your views when your country is getting into an active defence cooperation with the USA. Shouldn't that offend Russia? Why is that one point is valid for India while not for Pakistan?

 

[Rajput_Pakistani]

Hight time you change your books .

Geography Lesson 101 ...has a wrong map.
Now check a real map and tell me where does pakistan come in between.

enuf said.....

 

[Levina]

Madam, i think comprehension issue is at your side, i remind you of the geography because of your saying that Afghanistan & Pakistan are not important to Russia rather Iran/Iraq and Gulf are..

Secondly, Russian, Pakistan relationship are not limited to defence only. What is the significance of some few million dollars or even 3.8 billions dollers worth of weapons you purchased from Russia? Russian GDP is well over 2100 Billion dollars.
Its the leverage what countries get by selling weapons to smaller countries.

Spread of extremism and terrorism through Central Asia right into the heart of Russia is a big concern for them. Thats why they want to engage Pakistan into a long term strategic partnership. Its not debatable how much Pakistan is important for Afghan & Central Asia. Many times more then India (whether India likes it or not).

Do you really think that when we talk of Afghanistan we should completely forget that it has a government of its own which detests Pakistan??

Diplomatically Russian interest is in a peaceful Afghanistan, so that Russia could supply its gas and oil to India and beyond. .

There!!
you said it yourself.

And for your last point, what are your views when your country is getting into an active defence cooperation with the USA. Shouldn't that offend Russia? Why is that one point is valid for India while not for Pakistan?

let me remind you Shoigu’s (Defence minister of russia) visited Pakistan at a time when Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Raheel Sharif was in the United States for a series of meetings with U.S. defense and national security officials.
wow!! what a coincidence!!

 

[chhota bheem]

the only intreast for Russia with Pakistan is to cooperate in Afganistan ,this cooperation did dont come from the blue,this was planned and known few years ago.

Russia dsnt want the instability in Afg reach its border states.

People who thing there is sudden shift if Russian policy to Pakistan and they will sell hight tech gare or do anything to hurt India.Please book mark this post ,check this post after 3-4 years.

 

[faisal6309]

If you think Pakistan is going to replace US with Russia, then it is never going to happen. US will be always present. If we would really go against US and look for replacement then it will be China and not Russia. So, if anyone thinks that Russia will act as big buddy against India, then it is never going to happen. If India goes completely towards west, then Russia may support Pakistan against India in future. But I don't think it will happen.

 

[Dash]

any comprehensions issues???


Lolzz


Now let me explain it to you again

• Russians need money and the arms supplied to you would fetch 'em just that. Russia knows this game well,Moscow'll play it safe to ensure that its moves do not anger India, Russia's main strategic partner in the region.Lolzz
• India last year purchased $3.8 billion worth of Russian arms thats far ahead of the $981 million worth it purchased from the U.S., according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).Now thats far higher than the peanuts they're going to get from small deals with other countries like Pakistan.(Russia's recorded exports to Pakistan were valued at a mere $22 million, according to SIPRI) .
• In the run-up to the SCO's summit ( Shanghai Cooperation Organization) in Ufa in July 2015 Russia will be courting the two countries(India and Pakistan) … and will avoid doing controversial things, such as active defense cooperation with Islamabad.

These fellows don't know that we have already engaged Russians in Afghanistan much before, way before than they could possibly think.