Pakistan-Russia Dialogue on Strategic Stability

Pakistan and Russia held a consultative dialogue on strategic stability, an in-depth exchange of views on international security and regional stability challenges, as well as on various aspects of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

The consultative dialogue on strategic stability, held in Moscow organized by the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fun chaired by Kamran Akhtar, Additional Secretary (Arms Control & Disarmament/Policy, Planning), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and from Russian side Vladimir Leontiev, Special Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, high-level security official from Pakistani side Zahir Kazmi, Director General, Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Branch, Strategic Plans Division, Joint Staff Headquarters from Pakistan and Leonid Drachevsky, Executive Director of the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund (Russia).

The broader theme of this consultative dialogue was “Challenges of global strategic stability and in South Asia: Russian-Pakistani approach to assessing the situation”, however, participants also deliberated on the areas including deterrence and arms control in the world and South Asia, Regional stability in South Asia and mechanisms for conflict resolution and Russian-Pakistani cooperation in the context of global geopolitical transformations.

According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a 14th round of the Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group on Strategic Stability, both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on international security and regional stability challenges, as well as on various aspects of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

The two sides discussed issues related to the agenda of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament, the IAEA and the OPCW. The issues concerning biological, space and international information security, as well as new and emerging technologies, including the military use of artificial intelligence, were discussed at length.

The two sides expressed satisfaction on the similarity of views on a range of issues of global strategic stability, and regional security including matters related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. Readiness was expressed to continue close coordination at relevant international platforms. Moreover, the importance of regular meetings of the Consultative Group was also emphasized. It was agreed to hold the 15th meeting of the Group next year in Islamabad.