Pakistan and Russia have expanded their engagement in recent years across trade, energy, connectivity, counterterrorism and security.

ISLAMABAD: Russia has offered to help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, signalling a possible expansion of Moscow’s diplomatic role as relations between Islamabad and Kabul deteriorate over cross-border terrorism.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion on Pakistan-Russia relations at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev expressed concern over the growing tensions and said Moscow was ready to contribute towards resolving differences between the two neighbouring countries.

Khorev noted that the continued closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was also disrupting Pakistan’s trade connectivity with Central Asia and Russia. He expressed hope that the border would reopen and tensions between Islamabad and Kabul would ease.

Russian Security Officials Engage Regional Leaders

The Russian envoy revealed that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan featured prominently during Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev’s visit to Islamabad last week.

He also referred to recent visits by senior Russian security officials to Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, suggesting that Moscow was intensifying its diplomatic engagement across the region.

Kolokoltsev became the first Russian interior minister to visit Pakistan last week, holding talks with civilian and military leaders, including Field Marshal Asim Munir.

His visit coincided with Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Sergei Naryshkin’s trip to Kabul for discussions with senior Taliban officials. Meanwhile, a senior Russian Security Council official visited New Delhi for consultations.

Russia’s potential role in easing tensions is significant because Moscow has developed close relations with the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan.

Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government last year and has since expanded its political and security engagement with Kabul. In May this year, the two sides also signed a military-technical cooperation arrangement, although its full scope has not been made public.

Differences Over Taliban’s Response to Terrorism

Despite its closer engagement with Kabul, Russia’s approach towards the Taliban has sometimes differed from Pakistan’s increasingly critical position.

These differences were evident during the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan earlier this month. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the Taliban-led administration, while Pakistan continued to demand concrete action against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The meeting concluded without a joint communique after Pakistan said the Afghan side had not accepted language addressing terrorist networks operating from Afghanistan.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban authorities of allowing the TTP to use Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations.

Pakistan has maintained that meaningful dialogue with Afghanistan must be accompanied by concrete and verifiable action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.

Pakistan Open to Sincere Russian Mediation

Despite the differences, Islamabad has indicated that it would welcome constructive Russian efforts to ease tensions.

At his weekly briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan valued its engagement with Russia on Afghanistan and broader regional security issues.

He said Islamabad would welcome sincere efforts by friendly countries capable of addressing Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns. However, he clarified that the Foreign Office was not aware of any separate, formal Russian mediation initiative.

“Such efforts should be meaningful and yield tangible progress,” the spokesperson said, adding that progress ultimately depended on concrete and verifiable action by the Taliban against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.

Pakistan and Russia Seek Stronger Economic Ties

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, who also addressed Monday’s discussion, called for expanding bilateral relations and removing practical obstacles to closer cooperation.

On trade and connectivity, Tirmizi identified visa facilitation, direct flights and measures to address banking and payment barriers as key priorities.

He also outlined preparations for a bilateral business forum, including advance meetings between companies, and discussed transport links through Iran, Afghanistan and China.

The ambassador called for stronger partnerships between universities, greater student mobility and expanded cooperation in science, engineering and agriculture. He also highlighted Russian-language education, cultural exchanges and closer ties between the media and creative industries of the two countries.

Growing Regional Cooperation

Pakistan and Russia have expanded their engagement in recent years across trade, energy, connectivity, counterterrorism and security.

Earlier this year, the two countries agreed to work towards an economic cooperation programme extending through 2030. Officials have also discussed rail links connecting Pakistan with Russia and Central Asia.

Moscow’s latest diplomatic activity comes as Russia seeks a greater role in Afghanistan and the wider region, while Islamabad continues efforts to persuade regional partners to use their influence with the Taliban to address Pakistan’s security concerns.

Whether Russia can help bridge the differences between Islamabad and Kabul will depend largely on its ability to encourage concrete action on cross-border militancy while maintaining its growing relationship with the Afghan authorities.