Institutions, Sovereignty And Strategic Calculations; Integrating Liberal And Realist Theories In Understanding Pakistan-Russia Dynamics

Abstract

Drawing upon influential works by Elaine Landry & Dean Rickles (2012), Shuja Nawaz (2017) and Donaldson & Vidya Nadkarni (2023), among others, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving relationship between Pakistan and Russia, integrating insights from strategic neoliberalism, structural realism and real constructivism. As socio-economic elements in both countries have coerced their governments to trace mutual pursuit of national interests within the framework of international organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation [1]Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), this study reflects a delicate balance between asserting sovereignty and engaging in strategic cooperation to address shared security concerns and economic interests. Thus, by synthesizing defined liberal and realist models, this study addresses three central questions; (1) How does the integration between defined theoretical framework enhance our understanding of Pakistan-Russia dynamics? (2) To what extent do historical legacies and cultural perceptions shape strategic calculations in both states? (3) What role do international institutions play in shaping the course of Pakistan-Russia relations? Employing a qualitative methodology including content analysis and stakeholder interviews, this study contributes to scholarly discourse by offering a deep perspective on the complexities of Pakistan-Russia dynamics through the barter trade agreement between both states through currency swap mechanism on February 24, 2022, and tussle between Pakistani government and state institution(s) regarding designing state narrative on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.