Pakistan-Russia Relations within the Framework of the SCO: A Regional Analysis

Pakistan and Russia have shared geographical proximity, but historically, this proximity did not translate into extensive cooperation due to Pakistan's alignment with the Western bloc during the Cold War and India’s strong relations with Russia. Pakistan's official membership in the Russi...

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Main Authors: Hira Yaqoob, Abeeda Qureshi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centre for International Peace & Stability (CIPS) 2025-01-01
Series:NUST Journal of International Peace and Stability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://njips.nust.edu.pk/index.php/njips/article/view/188
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author Hira Yaqoob
Abeeda Qureshi
author_facet Hira Yaqoob
Abeeda Qureshi
author_sort Hira Yaqoob
collection DOAJ
description Pakistan and Russia have shared geographical proximity, but historically, this proximity did not translate into extensive cooperation due to Pakistan's alignment with the Western bloc during the Cold War and India’s strong relations with Russia. Pakistan's official membership in the Russian-cofounded Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017 marked a significant development in bilateral relations. While considerable research exists on the SCO and its progress, studies focusing specifically on Pakistan-Russia relations through the SCO framework remain limited. Pakistan’s membership in the SCO coincided with important regional developments, including the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the resurgence of regional terrorism, increased US-China competition, India’s strengthening ties with the U.S., the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the hesitancy of Western countries to engage with Russia. An analysis of Pakistan-Russia relations from 2015 to 2024, grounded in the theory of complex interdependence, indicates progress in cooperation and potential for enhanced collaboration in areas such as security, energy, and cultural exchange. Shared interests in China and the Central Asian region also highlight the possibility of increased regional cooperation through the SCO platform. However, several factors have posed challenges to furthering these relations, including tense Indo-Pak relations, India’s membership in the SCO and historical ties with Russia, perceptions of Pakistan's susceptibility to external pressures, and regional instability linked to terrorism. Addressing these challenges requires proactive engagement to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the SCO to encourage Pakistan-Russia relations and collaboration.
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publisher Centre for International Peace & Stability (CIPS)
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spelling doaj-art-a2ab70e19f2a4c33ac9852c4d8796dd72025-02-07T00:03:15ZengCentre for International Peace & Stability (CIPS)NUST Journal of International Peace and Stability2616-44262616-44342025-01-018110.37540/njips.v8i1.188Pakistan-Russia Relations within the Framework of the SCO: A Regional AnalysisHira Yaqoob0Abeeda Qureshi1MPhil Scholar at the Forman Christian College University, Lahore, PakistanAssistant Professor at the Forman Christian College University, Lahore, Pakistan Pakistan and Russia have shared geographical proximity, but historically, this proximity did not translate into extensive cooperation due to Pakistan's alignment with the Western bloc during the Cold War and India’s strong relations with Russia. Pakistan's official membership in the Russian-cofounded Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017 marked a significant development in bilateral relations. While considerable research exists on the SCO and its progress, studies focusing specifically on Pakistan-Russia relations through the SCO framework remain limited. Pakistan’s membership in the SCO coincided with important regional developments, including the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the resurgence of regional terrorism, increased US-China competition, India’s strengthening ties with the U.S., the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the hesitancy of Western countries to engage with Russia. An analysis of Pakistan-Russia relations from 2015 to 2024, grounded in the theory of complex interdependence, indicates progress in cooperation and potential for enhanced collaboration in areas such as security, energy, and cultural exchange. Shared interests in China and the Central Asian region also highlight the possibility of increased regional cooperation through the SCO platform. However, several factors have posed challenges to furthering these relations, including tense Indo-Pak relations, India’s membership in the SCO and historical ties with Russia, perceptions of Pakistan's susceptibility to external pressures, and regional instability linked to terrorism. Addressing these challenges requires proactive engagement to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the SCO to encourage Pakistan-Russia relations and collaboration. https://njips.nust.edu.pk/index.php/njips/article/view/188Regional OrganizationsSecurityCPECTerrorismComplex Interdependence
spellingShingle Hira Yaqoob
Abeeda Qureshi
Pakistan-Russia Relations within the Framework of the SCO: A Regional Analysis
NUST Journal of International Peace and Stability
Regional Organizations
Security
CPEC
Terrorism
Complex Interdependence
title Pakistan-Russia Relations within the Framework of the SCO: A Regional Analysis
title_full Pakistan-Russia Relations within the Framework of the SCO: A Regional Analysis
title_fullStr Pakistan-Russia Relations within the Framework of the SCO: A Regional Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Pakistan-Russia Relations within the Framework of the SCO: A Regional Analysis
title_short Pakistan-Russia Relations within the Framework of the SCO: A Regional Analysis
title_sort pakistan russia relations within the framework of the sco a regional analysis
topic Regional Organizations
Security
CPEC
Terrorism
Complex Interdependence
url https://njips.nust.edu.pk/index.php/njips/article/view/188
work_keys_str_mv AT hirayaqoob pakistanrussiarelationswithintheframeworkofthescoaregionalanalysis
AT abeedaqureshi pakistanrussiarelationswithintheframeworkofthescoaregionalanalysis