Russia likely to support Pakistan against United States
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ISLAMABAD - Russia is likely to support Pakistan against United States in the FATF counter Terrorism watch list resolution in Paris.
Pakistan has decided to approach United States which continues its hostile policy towards the only nuclear armed Muslim-majority country, diplomatic sources said. Pakistan was working to improve the country’s global standing amid the harsh policies of Europe and the United States.
China has a history of friendship with Pakistan while Russia is offering a friendship. We need to grab their (Russia’s) hand, officials in Pakisan have said.
He added: “We are facing a diplomatic challenge but still we cannot give in. We need to bounce back. Russi is our best hope.”
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Kh Asif flew to Moscow on the invitation of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation from February 19-22.
A foreign ministry statement said during his stay in Moscow, the Foreign Minister will hold official talks with his Russian counterpart. “The two sides would deliberate upon the entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest,” it added.
The statement said the visit would provide an opportunity to explore ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in political, economic, trade and investment, defence, education and cultural fields.
“Russia enjoys a special place in our foreign policy. The relations between the two countries have been growing steadily in all fields.
Regular high-level exchanges between the two countries in the last few years is a manifestation of mutual desire of both sides for translating political goodwill into a substantive and multidimensional partnership. The two countries are also celebrating the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year,” it said.
The two foreign ministers had earlier met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York in September 2017.
Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered to mediate between Islamabad and New Delhi to ease tension in South Asia. The move was welcomed by Islamabad but India refused to oblige.
President Putin had also refused to condemn the 2016 Uri attack and China also denied support India’s bid for the Nuclear Suppliers Group membership. While China’s response was expected by pakistan <link> , Russia’s neutrality gave them the boost they wanted as Islamabad took the Kashmir issue to the global powers.
However, President Putin signed agreements of cooperation with India in different sectors worth billions of dollars. India and russia <link> also reached an understanding to manufacture military copters. Reportedly, India is to buy a ground-to-air targeting technology from russia <link> as well.
Foreign ministry officials said Pak-Russia relationship was on a positive trajectory. Both the sides have signed defence agreement, held joint military exercises and russia <link> was investing $2 billion in South-North gas pipeline project.
Another foreign ministry official saidpakistan <link> will seek Russia’s help to stop the western countries from putting pakistan <link> on the terror watch-list at the ongoing Financial Action Task Force meeting in Paris. The six-day FATF meeting started on February 18. No country, except China, has committed to vote forpakistan <link> after the us <link> submitted a resolution to the FATF to place pakistan <link> on the terror watch-list.
The 37 permanent members of FATF include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Gulf Co-operation Council, Hong Kong, China, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and the us <link> . Israel and Saudi Arabia have observer status.
The official said russia <link> had earlier agreed to ‘consider’ Pakistan’s request to support Islamabad at the FATF moot.
Former ambassador Rustam Shah Mahmand said us <link> President Donald Trump will have to adopt flexibility. “Pakistan has its options. russia <link> is a global power and Pakistan’s ties are improving with russia <link> ,” he added.