World Desk, AnyTV, Islamabad
Published by: Harendra Chaudhary
Updated Tue, 22 Feb 2022 06:22 PM IST
Summary
This visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Russia is taking place at a time when Russia’s tension with Western countries on Ukraine issue is at its peak. As the US prepares to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, Imran Khan’s decision to go there sends a special message about Pakistan’s stand in the new global polarization…
Geopolitical experts here are considering Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan’s two-day visit to Russia starting on Wednesday as very important. He is of the opinion that amidst the mobilization of various countries in the world at this time, this visit of Imran Khan can give a special place to Pakistan. Prior to this, a high official of Pakistan had visited Russia in 2011, when the then President Asif Ali Zardari had gone there. This is the first visit of a Prime Minister of Pakistan to Russia in almost two and a half decades.
Imran’s summit with Putin
According to a statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Imran Khan will be accompanied by a high-level delegation from Pakistan to Russia. But the most striking aspect of this visit is the summit of Imran Khan with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. “During the summit, the two leaders will undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations,” the statement said. These include mutual cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. Apart from this, the two leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues. Among these issues are Islamophobia and the situation in Afghanistan.
Analysts have pointed out that the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Russia is taking place at a time when Russia’s tensions with Western countries over the Ukraine issue are at its peak. As the US prepares to impose tough sanctions on Russia, Imran Khan’s decision to go there sends a special message about Pakistan’s stand in the new global polarization. Earlier in January, Imran Khan had a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin. During the same talks, Putin had invited Imran Khan to visit Russia.
It has been given special importance that the announcement of Imran Khan’s visit to Russia came when both Putin and Khan were in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games. Some analysts are of the opinion that China has a role in bringing Pakistan closer to Russia. Recently, relations between Russia and China have also deepened.
Relations with America may deteriorate
Pakistani newspaper Dawn has published the reaction of Chinese analyst Cheng Shizhong on the sidelines of Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow. In it, Zhong described the visit as “historically and strategically very important”. Cheng has said- ‘It is worth mentioning that after a gap of 23 years, Russia has invited a Pakistani Prime Minister. It is a symbol of Imran Khan’s high stature and leadership ability.
Cheng said that Imran Khan’s visit points to a strategically important aspect that Russia is leaning towards increasing cooperation with Pakistan. At the same time, now a relationship of cooperation is being formed between China, Russia and Pakistan. According to reports published in Pakistani media, most Pakistanis agree with this analysis. However, it has also been accepted that this new relationship of Pakistan can make its relations with America more bitter.
Expansion
Geopolitical experts here are considering Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan’s two-day visit to Russia starting on Wednesday as very important. He is of the opinion that amidst the mobilization of various countries in the world at this time, this visit of Imran Khan can give a special place to Pakistan. Prior to this, a high official of Pakistan had visited Russia in 2011, when the then President Asif Ali Zardari had gone there. This is the first visit of a Prime Minister of Pakistan to Russia in almost two and a half decades.
Imran’s summit with Putin
According to a statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Imran Khan will be accompanied by a high-level delegation from Pakistan to Russia. But the most striking aspect of this visit is the summit of Imran Khan with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. “During the summit, the two leaders will undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations,” the statement said. These include mutual cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. Apart from this, the two leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues. Among these issues are Islamophobia and the situation in Afghanistan.
Analysts have pointed out that the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Russia is taking place at a time when Russia’s tensions with Western countries over the Ukraine issue are at its peak. As the US prepares to impose tough sanctions on Russia, Imran Khan’s decision to go there sends a special message about Pakistan’s stand in the new global polarization. Earlier in January, Imran Khan had a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin. During the same talks, Putin had invited Imran Khan to visit Russia.
It has been given special importance that the announcement of Imran Khan’s visit to Russia came when both Putin and Khan were in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games. Some analysts are of the opinion that China has a role in bringing Pakistan closer to Russia. Recently, relations between Russia and China have also deepened.
Relations with America may deteriorate
Pakistani newspaper Dawn has published the reaction of Chinese analyst Cheng Shizhong on the sidelines of Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow. In it, Zhong described the visit as “historically and strategically very important”. Cheng has said- ‘It is worth mentioning that after a gap of 23 years, Russia has invited a Pakistani Prime Minister. It is a symbol of Imran Khan’s high stature and leadership ability.
Cheng said that Imran Khan’s visit points to a strategically important aspect that Russia is leaning towards increasing cooperation with Pakistan. At the same time, now a relationship of cooperation is being formed between China, Russia and Pakistan. According to reports published in Pakistani media, most Pakistanis agree with this analysis. However, it has also been accepted that this new relationship of Pakistan can make its relations with America more bitter.