ISLAMABAD – Diplomatic sources reveal that alongside the vocal supportfrom China, Pakistan had received telephonic assurances from Russia thatPakistan should not consider itself “isolated”.
“The contacts with Russia after Trump’s statement have been encouraging.They support our view and are standing with us,” said a senior official atthe foreign ministry who remains in contact with Moscow.
He added: “Russia is willing to enhance the bilateral ties and engagefurther on defence. We have two big powers with us as Washington attemptsto pressurise Pakistan.”
Last month, Russian Consul General in Karachi Dr Aleksandr Khozin had saidlink>Pakistanlink> and Russian relations were gettingstronger and both the countries shared views on peace in the region.
Dr Khozin said link>Pakistanlink> occupied a significant place inRussia’s foreign policy priorities and Moscow considered it a partner.
He recalled that meeting held on the sidelines of last year’s 72nd UnitedNations General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif andRussian counterpart Sergei Lavrov had discussed ways to strengthenPak-Russia relations.
“The issue of Afghanistan and peace in that country was also discussed inthe meeting,” he added.
As the year 2018 started, Trump tweeted: “The United States has foolishlygiven link>Pakistanlink> more than 33 billion dollars in aidover the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit,thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists wehunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!”
link>Pakistanlink> responded by saying Trump’s “no more”mantra was worthless as Islamabad was not prepared to “do more”.
Earlier on Tuesday, link>Chinalink> asked the world to acknowledge Pakistan’s“outstanding contribution” to counter terrorism.
Asked to comment on Trump’s statement, Chinese foreign ministryspokesperson Geng Shuang said: “Pakistan has made enormous efforts andsacrifices in the fight against terrorism and has made very outstandingcontribution to the global cause of counter terrorism. The internationalcommunity should acknowledge that.”
Shuang added: “China and link>Pakistanlink> are all-weather partners. We standlink> ready to promote and deepen our all-roundcooperation so as to bring benefits to the two sides.”
link>China link> wasglad to see link>Pakistanlink>engaging in international cooperation,including counter terrorism, on the basis of mutual respect so as tocontribute to regional peace and stability, Shuang said.
During the first-ever trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers oflink>China link> ,link>Pakistanlink>and Afghanistan in Beijing last week,Beijing announced plans to extend the CPEC to Afghanistan, which sharesclose ties with India.
Asked whether Trump’s criticism would affect China’s efforts to bring peacebetween link>Pakistanlink> and Afghanistan, Shuang said “Webelieve as neighbours, link>Chinalink> , link>Pakistan link> and Afghanistan are closelylinked not only geographically but also in terms of common interests. It isnatural for us to enhance communication and exchanges.”
He said that during the December 26 trilateral meet, the three countries“reached a lot of consensus” on cooperation. This included enhancedcooperation on counter-terrorism and fighting against terrorism in allforms and manifestations. “The parties will enhance cooperation in thisregard,” Geng said.
link>China link> isinvesting close to $57 billion under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) project, which speaks volume about the two nations’ friendship.