Pakistan Russia Relations: New Dimensions
By Dr.Syed Mehboob
Research Scholar, Analyst
Pakistan and Russia have seen new development in their relations and both sides leadership seems enthusiastic to strengthen bilateral ties. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto visited Russia on two days visit from January 29 to 30,2023. This was a serious effort to maintain close and friendly relations with Russia. He visited on the invitation of his counterpart Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov. He hold official talks with his counterpart and two sides deliberate upon the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interests. Pakistan is facing worst kind of economic crisis and hardship and needs to extend its economic and trade relations with countries other than in its traditional circle. This visit dispels the impression that current government is under US influence and is reluctant to enhance ties with Russia. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with The Russian President at the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand in September, 2022. Pakistan is exploring options to import oil and gas from Russia at discounted rates. The two sides during the recent visit of the Russian Energy Minister had an agreement to complete all the formalities by March before Pakistan started importing Russian oil.
Russia agreed to provide petroleum on concessional price and Pakistan also has moved forward to have a fruitful talk with Russian companies to import LNG. Besides, oil and Gas, Russia will also provide 580,000 metric tons of wheat on concessional rate to Pakistan. Bilawal, Lavrov agreed to pursue education, economic and energy cooperation. Bilawal Bhutto expressed his hope that no other country would interfere in Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia as it is Pakistan’s right to have relations with countries of its own choice. Bilawal Bhutto said that Pakistan desperately need to address its energy crisis and the people of Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been devastated by a natural catastrophe and recent flooding have thrown up severe economic challenges and we will do whatever we can to reduce difficulties of poor people of Pakistan. He also indicated that Pakistan could play the role of bridge to bring the super powers closer.
Analysts are giving very importance in recent development in Pakistan Russia relations as it is important advancement of Russia and its focus is on Asian countries. Pakistan and Russia signed three agreements on custom matters for the exchange of data and documents of imports and exports, besides cooperation in the field of aeronautical products. Pakistan is interested in providing textile, military equipment, apparel, footwear and medical supplies. It was agreed that both the countries would facilitate in banking and communication. It is a great achievement that Pakistan is succeeded to get seven hundred and fifty thousand tons of wheat from Russia at a concessional rate.
Russia has long history of bilateral attitudes towards supply of services and transfer of technology to developing countries. There is dire need to boost trade and identify implementing blocks on the side of non-tariff barriers, technical barriers in the way of bilateral trade. It could be foreseen in the new developments that there could be a big share for the Russian federation in the mining and manufacturing of coal based power generation. Last several years witnessed substantial expansion of contacts between both the countries; both at high and people to people levels. The current positive trends give two countries and people the opportunity to better understand each other to exploit the existent potential for mutual benefits. The sense of larger cooperation and mutual understanding which exists with Russia is of immense importance to Pakistan. It is interesting to note that Russia is the third largest textile importer of the world. So there is great potential for Pakistan textile industry and its products to be exported to Russia. These facts are providing tremendous opportunities for the promotion and development of textile trade between the two countries. The business communities of both the countries should avail these opportunities.
Russia exports chemical products, fertilizers, timber and paper, metal products etc. Pakistan exports to Russia textile and garments, rice, leather, spots goods, fresh fruits, surgical equipment and pharmaceuticals. Consumer goods market in Russia is of level of US$1,270 billion and if proper strategy is adopted, Pakistan could boost its consumer goods exports to Russia up to one billion dollars within a year. Government and private sectors should come forward to work jointly in providing trade facilities on a huge scale and to initiate dialogue with the Russian government to remove barriers. Since 1992 there have been more than 50 leadership and senior officials’ level exchanges between the two countries. Out of which 25 exchanges were either partly or purely related to enhance economic relations focusing on trade, investment and joint ventures. According to ITC data Russian Federation exports 2,500 items. On the other hand Pakistan is located at highly important geographical location and with CPEC its importance is multiplied and Russia could enhance its trade enormously by joining hands with Pakistan. During the last 60 years Pakistan’s foreign policy and economic and business relations were American centered but for the last decade things have much been changes and with the emergence of China as the economic superpower and now recent threats for Pakistan, the potential between Pakistan and Russia has increased many folds. Pakistan now doesn’t need aid it need trade and investment and relations based on mutual respect with due honour and dignity. Pakistan could seek the help of Russia to integrate and boost its engineering sector as well as do serious efforts to get benefits from Russian technology and advancement in science and technology.. Textile imports from Russia are US$20 billion and this figure is self-explanatory for Pakistan’s textile exports. A free trade Agreement and Pakistan Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce’s formation could be fruitful to boost bilateral trade.
Russia is the largest country in the world by area, covering more than one eighth of the world’s land area, it is 9th most populous country with over 150 million people. Its capital Moscow is the largest city in the world. The Russian economy ranks as the 12th largest economy by nominal GDP, and sixth largest by purchasing power parity. Russia’s extensive mineral and energy resources are the largest such reserves in the world, making it one of the world’s leading producer of oil, and natural gas globally. The country is one of the five recognized nuclear weapon states, is a permanent member of UN Security Council enjoying veto power status.
Russia is a great power as well as a regional power and has been characterized as a potential super power. It is member of G20, The Council of Europe, The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and World Trade Organization. It is also one of the five members of Eurasian Economic Union.
Recent development between two countries is quite encouraging and future of both countries ties seems very bright.