The Changing Dynamics of Pakistan’s Relations with the Former Soviet Union, 1947-91

Throughout the Cold War era (1947-91) relationship between Pakistan and the Soviet Union fluctuated up and down. Due to the important geo-strategic location, and rivalry with India, Pakistan was compelled to join Southeast Atlantic Treaty Organization (SEATO) and Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). Tensure its security requirements Pakistan needed a friend who could help in internal and external security issues. Thus, Pakistan became a front-line state against Soviet Union after its invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, and therefore, had strained relations with Moscow throughout Cold War era. However, despite Pakistan’s alliance against communist expansion the US imposed embargo on providing weapons to Pakistan during 1965, and 1971 war with India. Consequently, Pakistan had to chang her foreign policy and due to changing geo-economic dynamics was forced to mend relations with USSR. This research paper seeks to explore the historical relationship between Pakistan and the Soviet Union during the cold war period.