Russia, US public diplomacy in Pakistan

In the evolving chessboard of global power politics, Pakistan finds itself positioned at a critical juncture. Its geography places it at the heart of South Asia, adjacent to economic corridors, conflict zones, and rising powers. For both the United States and Russia, Pakistan is more than just a regional player; it is a pivotal gateway to influence, especially in matters of defence and security cooperation. As these powers vie for strategic depth, public diplomacy has emerged as a key, albeit understated, battleground. The ways in which the US and Russia engage with Pakistan through narrative framing, defence cooperation, and cultural influence reveal a deeper contest for long-term positioning in South Asia.

Public diplomacy, particularly in the defence realm, is no longer confined to traditional diplomatic courtesies. It includes military exchanges, educational initiatives, humanitarian missions, media influence, and strategic messaging. In Pakistan’s case, where public perception and elite opinion often shape foreign policy direction, both Washington and Moscow have sought to mould narratives that align with their global aspirations. Yet, their methods and outcomes remain sharply distinct.

The United States has had a long and complicated history with Pakistan. Dating back to the Cold War, Pakistan aligned itself with the Western bloc, joining alliances like SEATO and CENTO. This alliance was solidified during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s, when Pakistan served as a frontline state in a US-backed resistance effort. The relationship deepened again after the 9/11 attacks, when Pakistan became a major non-NATO ally, receiving billions in military and civilian aid. Over the decades, thousands of Pakistani military officers were trained in US institutions, and the country was the recipient of defence hardware, counterinsurgency support, and development funding. However, this partnership has been marked by sharp ups and downs. From the unilateral US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad to frequent drone strikes in the tribal districts, anti-American sentiment in Pakistan has grown. American public diplomacy, despite its extensive investments in media, education, and military training, has often been undermined by what many in Pakistan perceive as hypocrisy, preaching democracy while supporting military regimes, or promoting regional stability while tilting toward India. The US message, rooted in values and strategic cooperation, has struggled to maintain credibility.

Russia’s engagement with Pakistan, by contrast, has been a more recent development. Historically, Pakistan aligned with the West during the Cold War, while India was the Soviet Union’s key partner in the region. This legacy kept Moscow and Islamabad at a distance for decades. However, the global landscape began shifting in 2014, when Russia’s annexation of Crimea led to a break with the West and the imposition of sanctions.

Seeking new partners, Russia began to pivot eastward, and Pakistan emerged as a promising candidate. Over the past decade, Russia has expanded its defence outreach to Pakistan. Joint military exercises, such as the Druzhba series, were launched. Moscow agreed to sell Mi-35 attack helicopters and initiated military training exchanges. Unlike the US, Russia’s defence diplomacy came without demands for political reforms or human rights conditions. It’s messaging emphasised sovereignty, non-intervention, and respect for Pakistan’s independent foreign policy. This approach has resonated with Pakistani policymakers wary of Western conditionality.

While the US focuses on regional stability, counterterrorism, and democratic values as the basis of its defence partnership with Pakistan, Russia presents itself as a partner in strategic autonomy and multipolar cooperation. American public diplomacy leverages a vast institutional network: academic scholarships, media funding, military education programmes, and think tank collaborations. It aims to create long-term alignment with US interests through influence-building in Pakistan’s elite circles. Russia’s public diplomacy, though more limited in scale, is focused and symbolic. It highlights joint military capabilities, high level diplomatic visits, and a consistent narrative of mutual respect. Russian media channels such as RT offer an alternative discourse to Western narratives, often portraying the US as an overreaching power and presenting Russia as a champion of sovereign decision-making.

These competing approaches have created conflicting narratives around defence cooperation in Pakistan. The US often presents itself as a stabilising force, helping Pakistan build capacity to fight terrorism, secure its borders, and engage constructively with neighbours. Yet, this narrative is frequently challenged by American political decisions that undercut Pakistan’s regional standing, such as the deepening US-India strategic partnership and the suspension of military aid. Russia, meanwhile, positions itself as a reliable partner that does not interfere in Pakistan’s domestic affairs. Its defence engagement is marketed not as aid but as cooperation among equals. While it lacks the scale and institutional presence of the US, it appeals to segments of the Pakistani establishment who seek alternatives to traditional Western alignments.

The question for Pakistan is how to navigate this complex diplomatic landscape. Can it continue to balance ties between Washington and Moscow, or will it be forced to choose? The answer lies in adopting a strategy of calculated engagement that maximises benefits while maintaining autonomy. Pakistan does not need to view US and Russian overtures as mutually exclusive. Instead, it can leverage its unique position to cultivate both relationships, extracting technological, military, and economic gains from each, without compromising its strategic independence.

The future of public diplomacy in Pakistan’s defence sector is likely to be shaped by broader global trends. As the world moves toward multi-polarity, with rising powers asserting themselves and established ones recalibrating, countries like Pakistan have greater room to manoeuvre. Yet this autonomy is contingent on internal stability, institutional strength, and a clear foreign policy vision. What Pakistan must avoid is becoming a battleground for great power rivalry. While strategic competition between the US and Russia will persist, Islamabad’s task is to ensure that this competition does not compromise its national interests.

It must also build its own capacity for public diplomacy, projecting its narrative, values, and interests regionally and globally. This includes developing a professional dip­l­o­matic corps, investing in cultural diplomacy, and engaging international media on its own terms.

Public diplomacy is no longer a soft add-on to hard military alliances, it is central to how power is perceived and exercised in the modern world. Both the United States and Russia recognise this, and both are vying to shape Pakistan’s strategic thinking through a combination of military cooperation and narrative influence. But only Pakistan can decide what role it wishes to play in this evolving order. The US will remain an indispensable global player, offering advanced military cooperation, access to international institutions, and influence in multilateral forums. Russia, while more limited in reach, offers a vision of resistance to Western hegemony and respect for state sovereignty that many in the Global South find appealing. Neither power can offer everything Pakistan needs, but both can contribute meaningfully if Islamabad plays its cards right.

Public diplomacy in the context of security and defence is not about choosing sides, it is about ensuring that Pakistan’s side is heard, respected, and preserved. As the global system shifts, Pakistan must adopt a confident, deliberate approach to diplomacy, one that listens to allies but speaks firmly of its own interests.