Russian Presidents maiden visit

It is going to be groundbreaking; the first time ever that the Russian Presidents Vladimir Putin shall visit Pakistan. The trip will surely open up new avenues for the host country. The visit will help strengthen ties between the two countries and viewed in the context of more frequent encounters with Chinese counterparts, it gives a welcome indication of Pakistans foreign policy evolving beyond leaning on the US. Such skewed behaviour had an inherit implication for Pakistan. Since the countrys exports are predominantly sold in the United States and the EU, any political rifts with the governments of these threatened the economic prospects of Pakistan dearly. In effect, Pakistan has been largely held back in its ability to execute an independent foreign policy. Over the last decade, things have changed gradually not least in the form of increasing trade with the Middle East and the Far East. Besides the foreign policy implications, boosting regional trade is a win-win situation for Pakistan and its neighbours. In this context, the coming of President Putin to Pakistan has the potential to turn into a real game changer. Russia can help kick start the much delayed TAPI gas pipeline project. Being the second largest gas producer of the world, it can help Pakistan alleviate the energy crisis. With its engineering expertise, it can help rehabilitate the Pakistan Steel Mills that Russia initially helped in establishing. It is true that the two countries have had a rough past. Pakistan and the Soviet Union struck a barter arrangement which fell through with the collapse of the USSR. After Russian forces invaded Afghanistan, Pakistan virtually faced off against them, aiding the Mujahedeen in a war that is still rattling the very core of Pakistani society today. In the aftermath of this conflict, Russia refused to help Pakistan develop military technology as they were doing for India. The relationship with Russia was at the verge of the big improvement under another military dictator at the time of the privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills in which a Russian company offered a controlling stake of 40 percent in the consortium. The deal was anchored by the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz; but Supreme Court blocked that route. Now, talks are again on with Russia on PSM expansion. Perhaps the forthcoming visit of the Russian President will result not only in the BMRE of the steel mills, but also a major face lift in relations between the two states.