Senator Mushahid meets Russian FM, lauds Moscow's 'positive neutrality'

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Saturday, thanking Russia for its “positive neutrality” during the recent tensions between India and Pakistan. The 40-minute meeting, held before the start of the high-level forum, was part of a broader interaction with five prominent Asian leaders from China, Turkiye, South Korea, and Cambodia. Senator Mushahid was the only guest from Pakistan, specially invited by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ruling United Russia party to deliver a keynote address at the forum. Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s foreign policy stance of promoting regional peace, security, and stability. Senator Mushahid appreciated Russia’s approach, particularly its balanced response during Indo-Pak tensions, and praised President Putin’s Eurasian Security Initiative, describing it as rooted in the principle of “indivisible security”—a concept also echoed in China’s Global Security Initiative. Speaking to Russian media, Senator Mushahid commended the warmth of Russian-Pakistani ties and reiterated Islamabad’s support for a multipolar regional order. “Russia and China, led by President Putin and President Xi Jinping, are building a peaceful and prosperous Eurasia—and Pakistan stands ready to be an equal partner in that journey,” he said. At the Eurasian Forum, attended by over 100 delegates from 25 countries, Foreign Minister Lavrov delivered a hard-hitting policy speech critical of Western alliances in Asia. He directly addressed concerns over India’s participation in US-led groupings. Lavrov denounced the Indo-Pacific Strategy, saying, “This Indo-Pacific had never existed—NATO made up this term to drag India into their anti-China schemes.” His remarks were seen as a rebuke to India’s growing role in the QUAD alliance, which includes the United States, Japan, and Australia. Lavrov added that while Indian officials claimed their role in QUAD was purely economic, joint military drills among QUAD nations told a different story. “In practice, however, QUAD nations are already endeavouring—with notable persistence—to organise joint naval exercises,” he said. The comment drew an uncomfortable silence from the 12-member Indian delegation, including three BJP parliamentarians, present at the forum. Lavrov accused NATO of attempting a return to Afghanistan, warning, “Four years after their ignominious retreat, NATO is once again seeking new points of entry into Afghanistan.” Senator Mushahid, during his media interactions, voiced full support for Eurasian cooperation and denounced military blocs like the QUAD and the so-called ‘Asian NATO’ as destabilising ventures. He emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, the UN Charter, and regional trust-building. The forum concluded with a strong call from Asian and Eurasian representatives to move away from military containment and towards inclusive, rules-based regional cooperation.

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