Speakers at a joint Pakistan-Russia webinar on Tuesday emphasized that the international system is undergoing a profound transformation toward a multipolar international order. This shift is driving a steady evolution of Pakistan-Russia relations from a historically constrained relationship into a pragmatic partnership driven by mutual interests.
Webinar Overview
The webinar, titled "Pakistan and Russia: Bilateral Relationship at the Cusp of Shifting Global Order," was hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with the University of World Civilizations, Moscow. It brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, strategic experts, media professionals, and academics from both countries to examine the implications of ongoing geopolitical transformations, particularly in the aftermath of the US-Israel attack on Iran.
Key Remarks
Delivering the inaugural remarks, Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director of the ISSI Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP), highlighted the significance of Pakistan-Russia engagement amid rapidly changing regional and global dynamics. She emphasized that the objective of the webinar was not only to deepen strategic understanding between the two countries but also to strengthen public diplomacy, academic exchanges, media cooperation, and people-to-people contacts.
The speakers noted that the evolving global order presents both challenges and opportunities for bilateral cooperation. They stressed the need for enhanced collaboration in areas such as energy, defense, trade, and regional connectivity. The webinar also underscored the importance of regular dialogue and joint initiatives to foster mutual trust and understanding.
Participants agreed that the shift toward multipolarity requires countries like Pakistan and Russia to align their foreign policies more closely to address common concerns, including counterterrorism, regional stability, and economic development. The event concluded with a call for continued academic and strategic exchanges to further solidify the partnership.
