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Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Russia in early October in a renewed attempt to improve relations with Moscow. His visit came after the cancellation of the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pakistan.

This would have been the first-ever visit of a Russian President to Pakistan and, as such, was loaded with significance. Putin was also to participate in a quadrilateral meeting on Afghanistan with leaders of Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

As NATO forces prepare to leave Afghanistan, new alignments of regional powers are emerging. Pakistan-Russia ties are also taking a new turn, and this holds great significance for India and the South Asian region.

Pakistan's efforts to improve its...