Pakistan–Russia relations
Bilateral relations / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Pakistan–Russia relations?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
The Soviet Union (predecessor of the Russian Federation) and Pakistan first established the diplomatic and bilateral relations on 1 May 1948.[1]
Pakistan |
Russia |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of Pakistan, Moscow | Embassy of Russia, Islamabad |
Throughout the Cold War, the Soviet Union's relations with Pakistan saw ups and downs. From 1948 to 1958, the Soviet Union enjoyed relatively healthy and strong relations with Pakistan when it was under civilian control, but they went ultimately cold soon after the US-backed 1958 military coup d'état, although attempts to warm relations were made after the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. However, in the 1980s, relations began to deteriorate again, and during the Soviet–Afghan War, Pakistan played a key role against the Soviet Union by supplying FIM-92 Stinger missiles to the Mujahideen backed by the aid of the United States. The Stinger Missiles played a key role by accurately shooting down Soviet helicopters. Pakistan is credited for playing a key role for allying and supporting the West during this time period of the Cold War. In response to ongoing Soviet support to communist Afghanistan regarding the Durand Line issue during the late 1970s and 1980s, Pakistan began to support Mujahideen rebels attempting to overthrow the Soviet-backed communist regime and was later aided by the United States, United Kingdom, China and Saudi Arabia. This led to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Due to the condemnation of Soviet actions in Afghanistan, Pakistan was one of the 80 total countries that boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics scheduled in Moscow.
In recent years ties between Russia and Pakistan have warmed as a countermeasure to warming ties between India and the United States. The two countries carried out their first-ever joint military drills in 2016.[2] Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement for the Pakistan Stream Gas pipeline from Karachi to Kasur,[3] and reached a price accord by December 2016.[4] Pakistan has also granted Russia access to a warm water port in the Arabian sea (Gwadar Port).[5] Since Pakistan joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, relations between both sides have become closer.[6] Pakistan celebrated the 70th and 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Russia.[7][8][9][6] Russian president Vladimir Putin also declared Pakistan as one of its primary partners in South Asia.[10]