September will be a seminal month in the history of South Asia and an important leg in Putin‘s itenerary beginnig in Islamabad. A Russian president‘s visit to Pakistan is a once-in-a-century event. The last time a Russian presidnet visited Pakistan was–well, err, never! So this first trip of Putin to Pakistan is tectonic event. To ensure that Putin places the right emphasis on the trip, he begins his Asian trip from Islamabad.
This poignant moment in the region’s history and politics will transform the area. The Russian Dacha being built on the Indus reflects the new realities of a russurgent Russia and a rising China. Putin’s presence in Pakistan infuriates the United States. The political inroads of Russia into the Khyber creates problems for America’s presence in the Hindu Kush and Central Asia. It is in Russia’s interest to oppose America’s long term footprint in the region. That footprint is opposed by Iran, China, and Pakistan.
Putin’s point man in Pakistan Ambassador Zamir Kabulov, has set up a strategic roadmap to build up Russia’s long term goals in South and Central Asia. Moscow clearly sees a vaccum, where Russia can assist Pakistan’s ”strategic autonomy” which serves its own and Chinese interests in the region.
Moscow see great advantage in working with Pakistan as a counterweight to the growing Indo-US alliance. Putin’s strategy is to develop new neural networks with Pakistan which will support the goals of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization). Putin supports enahncing cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of energy, trade and even defense systems. In fact the Pakistani JF-17 Thunder uses Russian engines (despite Delhi’s objections). Put has publicly stated that ”Gazprom is ready to take part and provide technological and, if necessary, financial assistance, and we are willing to provide an unlimited amount of it, especially for a project that is certain to take off.” This means suport for the Iran-Pakistan pipeline and also the CASA and TAPI energy veins which integrates Islamabad into the global energy vaults of the world.
Moscow brings the following goodies to Islamabad:
- Support, financing and construction of TAPI (or TAPC), and the Iran-Pakistan (IP) pipeline and the Central Asia and South Asia (CASA) project, which suppliments 1,000-1,300 megawatts of surplus energy to Pakistan. CASA backed by the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.
- Assist in the exploration of oil, gas and minerals in Pakistan in Reko Diq and in Thar.
- Russia will upgrade powerplants at Guddu and Muzaffargarh power plants, support for the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and roads and ralways between the Dushambe Four Countries (Russia, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan).
Pakistan’s realignment, and movement away from NATO delivers a crippling blow to the American dream of a ‘ New Silk Road Initiative.’ The US had a the chance to support and build a long-term alliance with Pakistan. However the flawed policies of Mr. Obama have pushed away Pakistanis to the Russian and Chinese camps. This will affect Asia for generations.
Re-draw the lines in the sands, re-align. Pakistanis will pay the biggest price the price of life as the global geopolitical tectonic plates shift and re-align.
NATO nor USA cannot afford an expansion of the war to The Indus.
This is why they have gone 360 degrees on their policy by moving their lynchpin from Pakistan to India. I posted an article on Zbigniew Brzezinski – Obama’s chief advisor when asked about Pakistan and India, he described Pakistan the lynchpin.
Pakistan remains centric to USA but Pakistan itself has her own strategic goal.
The cold war between USA and China will be played over the killing fields of Kashmir with wider implications as India stands firm with her new found friend.
This time around USA no longer has the moral ground, Europe in economic turmoil and USA the same the East holds all the cards. India is a manufactured power by the West to for this very reason ten years ago pre 911 the economy of Pakistan was way better than India yet a daunting after 911 suddenly India was no longer seen as the third world.
This is nother post world war 2 and the world is sick and tired of the USA and NATO who no longer have the moral high ground.
Pakistan is indeed in for a rocky ride and Kashmir too will see much political maneuvering.
See through the tricks of the modern East India Company stand firm and protect your honour and sovereignty. There will be sacrifice but the gift that destiny brings is worth sacrificing for. It is the fulfillment of our beloved faqeer poet come spiritual leader Allama Iqbal and the very reason for reclaiming what we call Pakistan today.
Re-draw the lines in the sands, re-align. Pakistanis will pay the biggest price the price of life as the global geopolitical tectonic plates shift and re-align.
NATO nor USA cannot afford an expansion of the war to The Indus.
This is why they have gone 360 degrees on their policy by moving their lynchpin from Pakistan to India. I posted an article on Zbigniew Brzezinski – Obama’s chief advisor when asked about Pakistan and India, he described Pakistan the lynchpin.
Pakistan remains centric to USA but Pakistan itself has her own strategic goal.
The cold war between USA and China will be played over the killing fields of Kashmir with wider implications as India stands firm with her new found friend.
This time around USA no longer has the moral ground, Europe in economic turmoil and USA the same the East holds all the cards. India is a manufactured power by the West to for this very reason ten years ago pre 911 the economy of Pakistan was way better than India yet a daunting after 911 suddenly India was no longer seen as the third world.
This is not post world war 2 and the world is sick and tired of the USA and NATO who no longer have the moral high ground.
Pakistan is indeed in for a rocky ride and Kashmir too will see much political maneuvering.
See through the tricks of the modern East India Company stand firm and protect your honour and sovereignty. There will be sacrifice but the gift that destiny brings is worth sacrificing for. It is the fulfillment of our beloved faqeer poet come spiritual leader Allama Iqbal and the very reason for reclaiming what we call Pakistan today.
Yesterday’s enemies today’s friends:
Among numerous exaples one recent one is USA, turning and returnig sides with talebans and USA’s current love with its ex enemy Vietnam which is opposing China with USA’a prompts; and now you report a historic first, Putin’s trip. One has to be watchfull with ‘political alliances’; bottomline should be ‘ return for the services’. I will also wonder/suspect a Russo-US axis against china an ex enemy of Russia. Remember a shooting war at the border in 1960 and US warning to USSR followed by ‘ transfer of Nuclear know how to China by US’. Is there a patch up between US and Russia ?. Is Putin carrying a a US message to Pak ?
We will watch certainely with interest.
Dr. Jee your speculation is way of the mark.
Russia is a fragment of its former self, what has Capitalism and American style democracy given it.
Its not democracy but the ability to trade equally and be in control of your borders, resources and trade routes that brings stability. Russia has suffered through the cabal and monopoly of the USA as much as the Wider old world.
This is a tectonic shift and global re-alignment to balance the forces. Russia too sees herself threatened as does China, Pakistan, Iran and they have a strategic calling to come together to deliver them for the doom and gloom of an aggressive America with her whore – India.
Qibla, You may/may not be right; But Playing Indophobia is certanely ill concieved. USA cannot push india against Pakistan ever. India’s loss/success against pak is never desirable by ‘ hindu nationalist agenda’ as it will lead to ‘ muslim’s redomination’of united india.They will love to stay as ‘ mediocre 3rd rate’power but a “HINDU NATION”.
Dr Abdul you forget that the common indian doesnt control their foreign policy…the western zionist puppets control indian policy. and they most certainly will let themselves be pushed in their quest for hegemony over pakistan and the region.
Dear 321,
US literally is in controll of forein policy of india, pakistan and all mideast and off course china; US-china bussiness is enormous and they enjoy mutual dependence.
Zionist are really exagerated but US plays behind all including zionist. Pakistan has a great insurance policy in india as neighbour;latter will love pakistan to stay strong and protect the NEXT western invasion. BUT indian army plays ISI/china to keep a large defence and pak’s srmy do just reciprocate with indo-phobea;pakistan keeps a large army, essentially a proxy war mechine of west. Both india and pakistan will never have a ” full decisive war” between them; Posturing is good enough for large defence budget for both.