From “Geo-Strategic Rivals” to “Probable Allies”? A Constructivist Analysis of the Pakistan–Russia Relations

Over the course of time, Pakistan–Russia relations severely lacked stability; many transformations were witnessed. Especially during the Soviet era, throughout the Cold War, the nature of the relations swung like a pendulum between extremely hostile to limited cooperation. Either side passed over many chances to ameliorate relations due to geo-strategic orientations of the other; Pak–US alliance made the Soviet Union uncomfortable, whereas the Indo–Soviet nexus worried Pakistan. However, post-Soviet Union’s disintegration, the relations amongst the two states rapidly warmed. In a short time, not only a great level of socio-economic cooperation began, but also Russia lifted the longstanding arms embargo for Pakistan, giving way to geo-military ties. This paper analyzes key transformations in Pakistan–Russia relations from the prism of “constructivism”; highlighting the importance of “perceived identities” in establishing bilateral relations, the role of leadership in setting geo-strategic orientation of a state, and perceptions trumping material gains while formulating inter-state relations.