RUSSIAN-PAKISTANI INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS: STATE AND PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT

The article analyzes the development of the Russian-Pakistani intergovernmental relations from 1991 to the present. The relations between Russia and Pakistan are not developing easily, as their development is influenced by a number of factors. One of the factors is the USA, which involved Pakistan in a number of military-political blocs hostile to the USSR in the period of the Cold war. This factor formed certain negative stereotypes in their mutual perception. Another factor is the Indian one which Russia has always had to consider in building relations with Pakistan. Besides, the Afghan factor influenced the bilateral relationships. The article considers the direction of the interstate relations between Russia and Pakistan, marks the leading spheres of trade and economic cooperation. The author analyzes the reasons which hinder their further development and notes attractive areas of cooperation that is in the interests of the two countries in the new international terms.

Central and South Asia, Pakistan, Soviet-Pakistani cooperation, trade and economic relations, Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Shoigu's visit to Pakistan, military-technical cooperation, Afghan drug trafficking, regional security