THE cancellation of what was expected to be the Russian president’s landmark visit must come as a shock to Pakistan and raise a question or two about an issue whose impact transcends Islamabad’s bilateral relations with Moscow. To add to Pakistan’s distress, President Vladimir Putin cancelled his visit without giving any indication when, if at all, he would visit Pakistan. Instead, the Russian president invited his Pakistani counterpart to be his guest. That President Putin’s decision also cancels the quadrilateral summit involving Afghanistan and Tajikistan is perhaps less of a worry; the greater cause for concern is the direction Pakistan’s relations with Russia will take. On the back burner for a long time, the relationship with Russia seemed to break new ground when President Asif Ali Zardari visited Moscow last year. The visit made geopolitical sense for a country keen to broaden its economic and security ties at a time when it was under pressure from the superpower. ‘Rescheduling’ the Putin visit is now Islamabad’s only option.

While the Foreign Office should determine precisely why the Russian president chose not to come to Pakistan, the reasons for Russia’s unhappiness are not too difficult to discern. Moscow feels disappointed over Islamabad’s tardy response to many vital works, especially energy projects, in which Russia is interested. These include the plan to transmit electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan, and a motorway and rail links through the mountains from the former Soviet republic to this country. Also cause for annoyance is Pakistan’s dwindling interest in the Iran gas pipeline, on which Tehran has completed construction inside its territory with Russian help. While Islamabad officially remains committed to it, Moscow has not failed to note Islamabad’s dwindling interest in the project under American pressure. There are other projects for which Pakistan itself has shown an interest in Russian help — the expansion of Pakistan Steel and several other infrastructure projects. But, while the Putin government is willing to help, it feels Pakistan has not done the spadework necessary to get the projects going.

The Soviet Union’s break-up should not cause anyone to underestimate Russia’s economic power and geopolitical clout. Its resource-rich landmass and high scientific and technological assets remain intact. As the focus of global economic power gradually shifts to the East, Russia as a Eurasian power is bound to play a major role. Pakistan would be making a grave mistake if it omits Russia from its calculations. In his letter, President Putin still held out hopes for a closer relationship with Pakistan. Let Islamabad find out what went wrong and try to mend things.