Relationship between Pakistan and Russia.

 Introduction:

In the time of cold war, Russia and Pakistan were not in good terms with each other.
This relation actually became more worst when cold war intensified into South-Asia and Afghanistan.
They held bilateral talks to improve the relation. But with the passage of time, by attempts of both the
counties, this non-friendly relationship gradually started to become better.

 Establishment of ties between both the counties:

Pakistan and Russia were actually in the need of each other so it became a two way process in
progressing for the betterment of relationship. Russia wanted it's influence om south Asia and
looking for the sale of it's military weapons and gas. On the other hand, Pakistan was in the
need of military and economic cooperation. Pakistan was also crucial for Russia because of it's
linkage with Afghanistan.
The relation became more firm due to close ties between India and USA. The era of 9/11
also played a part in this. The visit of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in 2003 became the
reason of formation of bilateral relations. After that, other visits of high officials from Pakistan
were also pave it's way towards good terms like army chief, General Ashraf pervaiz Kayani in
2009 and president Asif Zardari in 2011.
Russain president Vladimir Putin also supported Pakistan membership of SCO. Not so far in
the past, chief of army staff, General Raheel Sharif visited Moscow in 2015. The first bilateral
meeting held between prime minister Nawaz Sharif and president Vladimir in SCO in 2015. PM
Nawaz Sharif expressed his keen interest in boosting up cooperation in trade, defense, energy,
infrastructure, culture and other spheres.
To forge various econo and trade interactio, Inter-governmental conference (IGC) was
established. A number of meetings of ICG held in Islamabad and Moscow. Energy Cooperation
working group was set up in 2011. This bilateral cooperation worked on the projects like coal-
based power generation projects, construction of thermal, hydro projects. In 2014, Russia
hosted a meeting of Central Asia Anti-drug quarter involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and
Tajikistan. The issue of Counter-Terrorism was also discussed due to the increment in the threat
of terrorism.

In 1972, with the technical and financial assistance of Russia, Pakistan Steel Mill was set up.
Russia had vast reserves of oil and natural gas, so Russia exports LNG to Pakistan in 2016. Russia also
join Tajikistan and kyrgyztan in CASA-1000 energy project providing Afghanistan and Pakistan with
electricity.
 Pakistan exported woven clothe, fabrics, fruits and fruit preparations, synthetic fabrics, varities of
rice, articles of apparel other than textile material, vegetables, medical and surgical instruments to
Russia. There is no direct banking link between both the countries but it is necessary for opening a
branch of Russian bank in Pakistan and vice versa. Both the countries are working to enhance the ties
between them.

To forge the military ties, Pakistan and Russia took initiative. An agreement for sale of mi-35 combat
helicopters was signed, Russia also saled Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets to Pakistan, the Russian air force cheif
visited Pakistan in 2013. To enhance the defence cooperation, Pakistan and Russia signed a milestone
agreement.

 Conclusion:
The relationship of Pakistan and Russia are of mutual interest for economical and military ties. It
also greatly in favour of Pakistan that they are in a good relation with super power like Russia.
Due to this mutual relation, they can do more lot to enhance this cooperation in fields other
than economy and defense.