Pakistan’s new foreign policy focuses to make ties with Russia and China. New Pakistan foreign policy will focus on enhancing defense and trade ties with Russia , while retaining the “all-weather friendship” with China.

1. Pakistan’s new foreign policy focuses to
make ties with Russia and China
 New Pakistan foreign policy will focus on enhancing defense and trade ties with Russia , while
retaining the “all-weather friendship” with China.
 Russia: Senior official at the ministry said “Ties with Russia are already improving so we have
given it importance. The objective is to have another power with us, while we enjoy China’s
backing on international issues.” In month of sept 2017, Russia completed delivery of four Mi-
35M “Hind E” attack helicopters to Pakistan, was considered a breakthrough between the two
countries. Contacts with Russia have been enhanced and Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif would
soon meet his Russian counterpart to discuss ways to bolster ties.
 China: The PRC (People's Republic of China) has provided economic, military and technical
assistance to Pakistan and each considers the other a close strategic ally. ... Recently, both nations
have decided to cooperate in improving Pakistan's civil nuclear power sector. Maintaining close
relations with China is a central part of Pakistan's foreign policy.
o Key goals: Improving ties with US and Muslim-majority countries.
 Key goal 1: Highly-placed officials at the foreign ministry said that improving ties with the
United States and removing misunderstandings with Washington was also a key goal set for the
diplomats of Pakistan.
 Key goal 2: New policy aimed to enhance relationship with Muslim-majority nations to form an
unofficial bloc. The official said that relations with Muslim-majority nations were “below
expectations” so it had been decided to give those countries the importance they deserved.
o Statements:
 Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said, “We have no time. Pakistan needs to change its direction
swiftly. We are undergoing a seismic shift”.
 Former ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi said that the Pakistani ambassadors in important countries
would convey the country’s message in the respective capitals.
 Defense analyst and former major general Ijaz Awan said that Pakistan should not ignore ties
with the US even if Islamabad got “good signals” from Russia “The aim should be to have good
relations with all the powers, not only Russia .
 Hopefully, the new foreign policy will be helpful to achieve these goals,”