Moscow, Feb 02: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf begins his first ever visit to Russia Tuesday aimed at improving ties with a long-standing ally of India. Musharraf will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a key three-day visit that comes just two weeks before external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha is due in Moscow.
Pakistan last month declared "a new stage" in relations with Russia as it announced the Presidential visit, which was first mooted last summer during Putin's efforts to defuse Indo-Pak tensions.
Ties between Pakistan and Russia have traditionally been strained.
Analysts in Moscow said Musharraf's decision to reach out to Russia was a logical move as Islamabad seeks to reduce its strategic reliance on the United States and contest New Delhi's overwhelming sway in Moscow.
"Pakistan has a clear interest in courting Russia and obtaining some understanding" over its conflict with India. "It is a very useful visit," said Andrei Piontkovsky, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies. Bureau Report