Foreign Policy of Pakistan - In the Historical Context

Module 13
(Lecture – XIII)
1960- 2000: Pak-Soviet/Russia Relations: Mistrust &
Missed Opportunities

28 November, 2017
Department of History,
Quaid -I-Azam (QAU)
Shahid M G Kiani,
Ambassador/VF
 Pak-Soviet/Russia Relations: Introduction

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Pak-Soviet/Russia Relations: Introduction

In first decade after Moreover it was a

end of Cold War - Meanwhile new factors period of economic
Trust building needed
although bilateral visits had emerged like transition in Russia &
time while factor of
remained regular Pakistan’s support of its political adjustment
India’s influence on
feature –progress in Taliban in Afghanistan in united Europe
Moscow was still there
mutual relations in later half of 1990s without East-west
remained sluggish division
Pakistan –Russia ties during Cold War
• During Cold War period – Pakistan had to align itself with US by becoming part of CENTO/SEATO to
respond to its security concerns from India

• In this regard its foreign relations were guided by realist theory of international politics

• “To defend themselves against aggression states either try to maximize their power or seek
alliances to create and maintain state of balance of power - In this context - ethics are
inconsequential”

• Since US objective of making Pakistan part of above mentioned treaties was designed to contain
the then Soviet Union - Soviet relations with Pakistan remained soured & even hostile - at times

• In response – during this period –Soviet Union always provided diplomatic & military assistance to
India on issues related to Pakistan

• Pakistan’s foreign policy also remained US -friendly to extent that it acted as US ally in organizing
Afghans‟ resistance guerrilla war against Soviet occupation from 1979 - 1989 (when USSR decided
to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan)

• However - since emergence of Russia as heir to USSR which broke up in 1992 - its perceptions
about Pakistan have undergone a positive change to which Pakistan has been more than receptive
Uneasy Bilateral Relations Cold War Period

• Soon after Pakistan ‘s inception - the then Soviet Union invited its first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan
to visit Moscow

• Later - in same year – US also invited him - Liaquat Ali Khan accepted –latter invitation

• It is believed that Liaquat Ali Khan preferred US visit for prospects of procuring defence
equipment/economic assistance which Soviet Union despite Pakistan‟s repeated requests had not
responded to

• These were urgently needed to bolster defence against India after 1948 war over Kashmir to
support Pakistan’s precarious economic situation at that time

• It was also thought that after losses suffered in World War II- Soviet Union would not be in a
position to provide kind of economic assistance Pakistan urgently needed
Beginning of Mistrust

• On the other side -Soviet suspicions grew that Pakistan was joining anti- Communist Western alliance - which proved to be
correct when in 1954 /1955 Pakistan joined SEATO/CENTO pacts

• That drew USSR closer to India in defence relationship under which Soviet military hard ware started flowing to India
disturbing balance of power in South Asia

• Moscow endorsed India’s Kashmir stand at all international forums including UNSC

• In Cold War period - Soviet efforts to reach warm waters of Arabian Sea were interpreted in Pakistan as aimed at separating
Balochistan province from Pakistan

• Soviet Union supported Afghanistan on Pakhtunistan issue

• Soviet Union also supported India in its military aggression in East Pakistan in Peace & Friendship Treaty it had signed with
India in 1971 – facilitated country’s disintegration by vetoing an important resolution

• At UNSC that called for ceasefire & could have provided time & space for a political solution
Down & some Up in the Ties

Worst period of their relationship lasted a

decade from 1979 - 1989 when Pakistan
helped launch US sponsored guerrilla war
against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan
1.
However, despite this history of
tense relations, both countries
from time to time made moves
to improve it
2.

This bitter phase ended

with dissolution of Soviet
Union in 1991
4.

But another source of tension arose in later

part of 1990s on account of Pakistan’s support
to Taliban in Afghan civil war & its ultimate
recognition of their government which Soviets
believed was harmful for the entire region
3.
President Ayub in USSR with Soviet Leaders & Indian PM Shastri
PM Bhutto with Soviet Leader Brezhnev
Some Glimmer of Hope
• Signing of Pakistan-USSR agreement on oil exploration on 4th March, 1961 – led to discovery of gas at Sui in 1962

• President Muhammad Ayub Khan visited Soviet Union in April 1965 first ever visit of a Pakistani head of state

• The visit helped in removing misunderstandings & agreements on trade/economic cooperation & cultural exchanges
signed

• In 1966 USSR mediated famous Tashkent Declaration between Pakistan & India to end 1965 war stalemate

• In that improved bilateral environment in April 1968 -Soviet Prime Minister Kosygin visited Pakistan & announced a limited
Supply of arms to Pakistan

• In 1969 – President Yahya Khan visited Moscow & deal for provision of some helicopters to Pakistan was signed

• When after separation of East Pakistan in 1971 Z A Bhutto assumed power he revised Pakistan’s foreign policy
withdrawing from SEATO in 1973 & CENTO in 1979

• As Prime Minister of Pakistan - he visited USSR twice, first in March 1972 & then in October 1974 which considerably