Date:

Share:

Islamabad’s Search for Equilibrium: Pakistan in the US-Russia Competition

Similar Posts

This post is also available in: Türkçe Русский

Recently, Pakistan’s dialogue with Russia and the United States of America (USA) has become remarkable. On the one hand, Islamabad, which tends to deepen its relations with Washington; On the other hand, I remain indifferent to Russia’s initiatives, especially on Afghanistan. This situation also reveals the reflection of the developments on the Pakistan-US line on the Islamabad-Moscow relations.

When the US-based developments are evaluated, the Defense Dialogue Meeting between the two countries comes to the fore. In this context, a delegation led by US Undersecretary of State Derek Chollet visited Pakistan on 14-18 February 2023. It was stated that the visit was organized to hold meetings with senior government officials, civil society members and business representatives.[1] Chollet, who met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilavel Bhutto Zardari, used the following expressions regarding the US-Pakistan relations during the visit:[2]

“The United States and Pakistan have a solid partnership based on decades of bilateral cooperation and support. We look forward to strengthening our relationships in trade, investment, climate, clean energy, health, security, education and other common priorities.”

Just before the visit, the second round meeting of the US and Pakistan Intermediate Defense Dialogue was held. As a reflection of the economic and security-based crises it has been experiencing, it is seen that the Government of Pakistan prefers a policy that prioritizes its relations with the West. Washington provides serious support at the rhetorical level in Islamabad’s fight against the terrorist organization Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He made statements that Islamabad has the right to defend itself and will be supported regarding the possible operation that has come to the fore in Pakistan. Pakistan expects the Taliban to put pressure on the terrorist organization TTP and reduce its influence.

In terms of security and stability, the United States takes into account the threats Pakistan feels. Because Pakistan plays an important role in the fight against the terrorist organization Daesh al-Iraq and al-Sham (DEAS) and in air strikes. For Washington, which shapes its Afghanistan policy by drawing attention to the activities of the organization, Pakistan’s discourses on security and its emphasis on the fact that the threat comes from across the border are of great importance. Because these allegations also mean that the Taliban violated the Doha Agreement. In addition, Washington stated that the threat against Pakistan on February 16, 2023 meant a threat to itself and gave the message that its control in the region would continue.[3]

The importance of the increasing momentum in relations with the USA for Pakistan can also be associated with the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The country in economic crisis is in search of funding support. However, no results have been obtained from the negotiations yet. It can be said that this situation plays a decisive role in the foreign policy steps of Islamabad.

On the Russian side, steps are being taken to ensure that Pakistan and India act together. In the “Five Format” proposal made by Moscow on the Afghan Problem on February 12, 2023, it is expected that the two countries will display a common attitude. But Pakistan does not seem to take any steps in this direction.

On the other hand, Zardari met with his Russian counterpart, Dmitri Kuleba, at the Munich Security Conference held in Berlin on 17-19 February 2023. Emphasizing that the Russia-Ukraine War should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, a statement came from the Pakistani wing that it would remain neutral in the war.[4]

Islamabad’s emphasis on neutrality may have been based on recent media reports of military aid to Ukraine. In addition, it may have been expressed to show that the energy relations developed with Russia are not related to the war. Because, Moscow-Islamabad ties have developed significantly at the point of energy cooperation.

At this point, it is understood that Pakistan turns to Russia in terms of energy and to the USA in terms of security. However, it is useful to remember Pakistan’s relations with China. On the other hand, considering the economic crisis, the possibility that the economy will be the determining factor in Pakistan’s tendencies is also worth considering.

At this point, it is understood that Pakistan turns to Russia in terms of energy and to the USA in terms of security. However, it is useful to remember Pakistan’s relations with China. On the other hand, considering the economic crisis, the possibility that the economy will be the determining factor in Pakistan’s tendencies is also worth considering.

The fact that the countries in question are two important actors with which the USA has close relations makes this statement important. Stating that relations with New Delhi and Islamabad will be developed and economic partnerships will be strengthened, it can be said that Putin will use his economic card within the scope of his Afghanistan policy. As a matter of fact, in his statement, Putin also stated that he would increase his interest in the Southeast Asian market. Therefore, it is possible that it will turn to new mechanisms, such as the “Five Format”, to improve its ties with India and Pakistan.

It can be said that it is not clear what will be Pakistan’s stance on taking part in these new mechanisms and cooperation dynamics. Considering its closeness with the USA and its recent attitudes; It can be thought that they will not prefer to take part in such platforms. Not participating in the National Security Advisors Meeting in Moscow and making a statement that he would take part in more effective formations on Afghanistan can be given as an example. However, it is understood that Pakistan does not want to be at the same table with India. Therefore, it is not yet clear how successful Moscow’s tendency to bring New Delhi and Islamabad together will be.

On the other hand, energy and economic issues are also important. Pakistan will not want its energy cooperation with Russia to be damaged. Although it does not prefer to take part in regional initiatives, it tends to develop bilateral relations with Moscow. Therefore, it is possible to talk about the possibility of Russia using it.

In conclusion, it can be said that Islamabad is trying to balance the balance between the USA and Russia. Therefore, it will not be surprising that the US administration, which aims to reduce the Chinese influence in Pakistan, takes more satisfactory steps for India and Pakistan in the face of Russia’s policy to increase its influence in Southeast Asia.


[1] “U.S. Delegation to Visit Pakistan as Two Sides Seek to Repair Ties”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-delegation-visit-pakistan-two-sides-seek-repair-ties-2023-02-13/, (Date of Accession: 21.02.2023).

[2] “Counselor Derek Chollet and Delegation Visit Pakistan in Support of U.S.-Pakistan Partnership”, US Embassy, https://pk.usembassy.gov/u-s-state-department-counselor-derek-chollet-and-interagency-delegation-visit-pakistan-to-demonstrate-continued-support-for-u-s-pakistan-partnership-2/, (Date of Accession: 21.02.2023).

[3] “Threats to Pakistan Could Well be Threats to US, Says Washington”, Tribune, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2401504/threats-to-pakistan-could-well-be-threats-to-us-says-washington, (Date of Accession: 21.02.2023).

[4] “Pakistan to Stay Neutral on Russia-Ukraine Conflict”, Nation, https://www.nation.com.pk/21-Feb-2023/pakistan-to-stay-neutral-on-russia-ukraine-conflict, (Date of Accession: 21.02.2023.

Şeyma KIZILAY
Şeyma KIZILAY
Şeyma KIZILAY, 2016 yılında Erciyes Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü’nden mezun olmuştur. Yüksek lisans derecesini, 2019 yılında Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Uluslararası İlişkiler Anabilim Dalı’nda sunduğu ‘’Uluslararası İlişkilerde Ulus İnşası Bağlamında Irak Örneği” başlıklı teziyle almıştır. Doktora eğitimine Uludağ Üniversitesi Uluslararası İlişkiler Anabilim Dalı’nda devam eden Kızılay, tez aşamasındadır. Başlıca çalışma alanları; güvenlik, terörizm, Afganistan ve Pakistan’dır. Kızılay, iyi derecede İngilizce ve orta seviyede Arapça bilmektedir.