KARACHI: The Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) held a webinar on ‘Russia Pakistan Relations — Over the Years and Future Aspirations’ on Tuesday afternoon.

Danila Ganich, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Pakistan, was the plenary speaker.

In his brief address, Ambassador Ganich said prospects of Russia-Pakistan relations are bright.

“They are based on the fact there is a consensus developed in both countries in favour of the partnership. We have common interests. They are stability, both global and regional. We have common interests in a stable Afghanistan and in prevention of outside interference in our domestic affairs. [So] our relationship will further grow. As for economic ties, the potential is not used to the fullest extent. My belief is that developments are taking place as they should. We cannot artificially accelerate the speed of our economic cooperation.”

The diplomat said some infrastructural projects at the Pakistan Steel Mills need a re-evaluation.

‘US doesn’t believe in multilateralism’

Speaking of Iran, he said: “As for Iran, we should be honest with ourselves. No major company is going to interact with Iran over some projects because of the threat of American sanctions. Europe which promised to defend the cooperation with Tehran is just conveniently silent. They will keep silent unless they are given the go-ahead from Washington.”

Russian diplomat says Afghanistan is the most promising area of cooperation between Pakistan and Moscow

Mr Ganich said Pakistan and Russia have a mutually advantageous relationship. It will definitely strengthen in the years to come, but will take some time. The most promising area of cooperation is Afghanistan because both countries need stability in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The ambassador said multilateralism is another basic commonality [between Russia and Pakistan].

“We also think that multilateralism is the best answer. Unfortunately Washington doesn’t believe in that. I’m sure that the Biden administration will confront Russia and it will continue to act in the spirit of the early 1990s. Basically they will try to keep their status of a superpower. What is Russia in their view? Russia is a marginal player. This I quote from the recently declassified doctrine from the Trump administration [days]. There was a doctrine for the Indo-Pacific region. And Russia was mentioned there as a marginal player. They don’t consider Russia as a major player at all. We have this Congress where there are young people, they are aggressive and hostile.”

Mr Ganich repeated he’s optimistic about Pak-Russia relations because of common basic interests. “As far as the international arena is concerned I’m pessimistic. What we are going towards is a global confrontation.”

Russia’s position on CPEC ‘taking shape’

After his speech, replying to a question about whether Russia would be interested in using sea communication through Gwadar and its interest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Mr Ganich said, “We are developing our final position [on it]. Our position is taking shape. But what I do know is when this project is successfully complete there will be a great number of opportunities to use this facility. We are monitoring. We should take a look at it as soon as it’s complete.”

In response to another query, he said, “Russia is a developing country, too. We are not a superpower as the USSR once used to be. We have our own moderate resources. I’m not sure Pakistan should expect a lot of investment from Russia at present. What we’re looking for is a mutually advantageous investment which will give us some profit. We are not going to finance like grants or concessional loans. But we are ready to engage in mutually advantageous enterprises — if any — though I don’t see any on the agenda which will give us mutual profit.”

Ambassador Mustafa Kamal Kazi moderated the event. In his introductory speech earlier he said he had pleasant memories of Russia from the time when he was posted there.

With the rise of China, he argued, lasting shifts are taking place in the global economy. The US and Europe which pioneered globalisation now seem to be turning towards protectionism. The real conflict there, especially in the US, is of the huge income and wealth gaps.

“China’s Belt and Road projects seek to promote intra-regional connectivity. It’s the largest industrial endeavour. India and the US are the only two countries which oppose it,” he added.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2021