Islamabad (Khyber Mail): Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia is seeking to diversify its relations with Asian and African states, according to experts at an event related to the Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership held by the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad.
“The fall of Assad in Syria was a catalyst in bringing Russia and Iran to a treaty partnership,” said Dr. Igor Matveev, Professor at the Department of International Business, Financial University, Moscow. Dr. Matveev presented the Iranian perspective on Russia’s role in Syria, highlighting that Iranians believed Russia had compromised with Turkey over Syria or paved the way for negotiations with Trump over Ukraine. He noted that Iranians also thought Russia had prioritized Libya over Syria.
Dr. Matveev clarified that there was no official partnership between Russia and Iran in Syria and that both states were pursuing their own interests during the decade-long Syrian Civil War. Describing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Iran, he mentioned that this treaty entailed diversified portfolios ranging from defense cooperation to economic collaboration. While it was too early to determine if this partnership was a “realpolitik agreement” or a “declarative act,” it was safe to assume that both Russia and Iran would prioritize their respective regions, i.e., Ukraine and the Middle East.
Mr. Fraz Naqvi, Head of the Iran Program at IRS, argued that Russia might seek similar comprehensive strategic partnerships with other states of the Global South. He added that if India’s push for a comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia materialized, it would disrupt the status quo in South Asia. Mr. Naqvi emphasized that there was an opportunity to enhance Pak-Russia bilateral relations, as Russia was actively seeking to engage with South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African states.