ISLAMABAD -- Making his first trip to Russia, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf arrived in Moscow this month hoping to break new ground. Russia and Pakistan were at odds for years, but over the past decade Pakistan has developed an interest in reaching out to the wider world, irrespective of ideological differences. Nonetheless, Musharraf will have to overcome considerable obstacles before he can forge substantial new ties with Moscow.
During the Cold War, Pakistan chose to seek U.S. sponsorship, while arch-enemy India established close ties with the Soviet Union. The collapse of the Soviet Union presented Pakistan with an opportunity to establish better relations with Moscow. While Pakistan has drawn closer to the United States since 9/11, it has yet to do so with Moscow. Not only have the two countries remained politically apart, but their economic ties, now worth $100 million a year in trade, have expanded little.
In the past, Moscow was annoyed with Islamabad over its support of Afghanistan's Taliban regime, which overthrew the government installed by the Kremlin and later gave sanctuary to Osama bin Laden. Now Russian leaders are concerned with Islamabad's close links to Islamic militant groups as well as its apparent lackluster commitment to vital political and economic reforms.