Historical Roots of Russian-Pakistani Cooperation: Russia on the Way to South Asia

Abstract

This paper analyzes Russian projects from the 17th century to the present day aimed at finding and creating a land route to South Asia. The Russian interest in South Asia dates back to the 17th century. The Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich dispatched embassies to the court of the Great Mogul, and attempted to organize trade with India. Peter I assigned the expedition of A. Bekovich-Cherkassky to the Khiva Khanate in 1717 and conducted the Persian campaign in 1722-1723 for the same reason. Another attempt to reach the banks of the Indus was the Indian campaign, which was developed by the Russian Emperor Paul I and the First Consul of France Napoleon in 1801. In the 21st century, Russia has not abandoned the idea of building a land trade route to the Hindustan Peninsula. The main obstacles to implementing this centuries-old plan are the unstable situation in Afghanistan, sanctions against Iran, and tense relations between India and Pakistan. However, since the 2010s, Russia has been involved in the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline, which should pass through the territories of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. In 2024, Pakistan joined the North-South transport corridor project, which can fulfill Russia's long-standing dreams and connect the post-Soviet space with the countries of South Asia. Thus, the relations between Moscow and Islamabad have great prospects, since without the participation of Pakistan, Russia will not be able to start land trade with India.

Keywords: Russia, foreign policy, India, XVIII century, international relations, transport corridors