Pakistan wants Russian engagement in Afghan peace process

Khawaja Asif says improvement in ties between Islamabad and Moscow are not at the cost of relations with other countries

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday said Pakistan wants Russian engagement in the Afghan peace process in wake of security challenges for Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from the neighbouring country.

Brushing aside the notion that the Russian defence minister’s recently concluded visit to Pakistan might annoy New Delhi and Washington, Asif said in an interview that improvement in ties between Islamabad and Moscow are not at the cost of relations with other countries.

Asif said Pakistan had an independent diplomacy, saying, “Russia is a great regional power and Pakistan cannot ignore it”.

“We must forget what Russia did in the past and look forward to a new beginning in the region,” he added.

“Pakistan terms Russia and China’s presence in the region as source of peace and stability and that is why all three are getting closer on strategic matters,” Asif remarked pointing towards a major shift in Pakistan’s foreign and security policy.

On relations with India, the defence minister said his Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu was briefed about the prevailing situation at eastern borders and relations with India in general. He said that the briefing given to Gen Shoigu was very important ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India later this year.

In a major breakthrough after Russia lifted arms sales embargo to Pakistan earlier this year, Asif said that a “final go ahead” for the purchase of Russian MI-35 gunship helicopters has been given.

“The matter remained under consideration for many months… now we have given Russians final go ahead for the purchase of these helicopters,” he said.

The minister said that the gunship helicopters would be used in the ongoing war against terrorism by Pakistani security forces.

“Russia has moved up Pakistan in its category B from D for arms sales, which means that Pakistan can now buy weapons from Russian market,” he said.