RAWALPINDI: The forthcoming visit of the Soviet Prime Minister, Mr Alexei Kosygin, to Pakistan is considered here as an important step forward in the field of Pakistan-Soviet relations.

The Soviet Premier is arriving in Pakistan on April 17 on an official visit at President Ayub Khan’s invitation. The visit — first by the Soviet Premier to this country — according to an official announcement here today [April 3], will last till April 21.

According to sources close to the Russian Embassy here the Soviet Government continues to be interested in efforts to remove the areas of tension in this sub-continent. It is almost certain, therefore, that the present state of relations between Pakistan and India will form one of the major issues that will come up for review at the talks which the Soviet Premier will have with President Ayub Khan and other Pakistani leaders here.

It is apparent that the Kashmir dispute, which has been a continuous source of trouble between Pakistan and India, and the supply of substantial military equipment to India by the Soviet Union which has caused widespread concern in Pakistan, will figure prominently at the talks in this context.

From the Pakistan point of view, Tashkent Declaration is as good as dead because of its repeated violations by India. Fresh efforts are, therefore, required to persuade India to realise the need for a lasting peace with Pakistan and the importance of a settlement of the Kashmir dispute in this regard.— Correspondent

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2018