Russia reaffirms readiness to help ease Pak-Afghan tensions

ISLAMABAD - Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Pakistan, Albert P. Khorev, affirmed Russia's willingness to assist in reducing "tensions" between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In his address at a special talk hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), he expressed worry over allegations of terrorist infiltration into Pakistan from Afghan soil, as well as the consequences of border closures on regional commerce.

Turning to regional security, Khorev highlighted potential avenues for counterterrorism and law enforcement collaboration following the Russian Interior Minister's recent visit to Pakistan. Both Pakistani and Russian diplomats emphasized the potential of counterterrorism cooperation, regional connectivity, and efforts to mitigate Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions.

Pakistani Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, advocated for enhanced economic, educational, and people-to-people exchanges. He stressed the necessity of transforming escalating political ties into pragmatic cooperation that benefits trade, student mobility, and regional connectivity. Tirmizi emphasized addressing visa obstacles, banking and payment impediments, and restricted direct air links to transform growing political engagement into substantive economic cooperation.

Regarding trade and connectivity, Tirmizi prioritized visa facilitation, direct flights, and measures to tackle banking and payment impediments. He unveiled plans for a bilateral business forum, including preliminary meetings among firms, and discussed transportation links via Iran, Afghanistan, and China. Tirmizi called for stronger university partnerships, increased student mobility, and collaboration in science, engineering, and agriculture, including Russian language instruction, cultural exchanges, and closer ties between the nations' media and artistic communities.

ISSI Director General, Ambassador Moinul Haque, underscored ISSI's collaboration with Russian think tanks and endeavors to broaden joint research and academic exchanges. In his closing remarks, ISSI Chairman, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, noted the increasing alignment between Pakistan and Russia, particularly in the realm of counterterrorism.

The gathering, organized by ISSI's Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP), attracted diplomats, scholars, and researchers for an interactive dialogue.