Islamabad, Sep 29 (IANS): The cancellation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's landmark visit to Pakistan has come as a shock, said a leading daily which warned that Islamabad would be making "a grave mistake if it omits Russia from its calculations."
Putin has written to President Asif Ali Zardari that he could not attend the quadrilateral summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan among Russia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan Oct 2-3.
An editorial titled "The Putin snub" in the Dawn Saturday said that the cancellation of "what was expected to be the Russian president's landmark visit must come as a shock to Pakistan and raise a question or two about an issue whose impact transcends Islamabad's bilateral relations with Moscow".
"To add to Pakistan's distress, Putin cancelled his visit without giving any indication when, if at all, he would visit Pakistan. Instead, the Russian president invited his Pakistani counterpart to be his guest," it said.
The daily said that the "greater cause for concern is the direction Pakistan's relations with Russia will take".
It noted that "the reasons for Russia's unhappiness are not too difficult to discern".
"Moscow feels disappointed over Islamabad's tardy response to many vital works, especially energy projects, in which Russia is interested. These include the plan to transmit electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan...
"Also cause for annoyance is Pakistan's dwindling interest in the Iran gas pipeline, on which Tehran has completed construction inside its territory with Russian help," the editorial said.
"While Islamabad officially remains committed to it, Moscow has not failed to note Islamabad's dwindling interest in the project under American pressure."
It went on to say that the Soviet Union's break-up should not cause anyone to underestimate Russia's economic power and geopolitical clout.
"Its resource-rich landmass and high scientific and technological assets remain intact. As the focus of global economic power gradually shifts to the East, Russia as a Eurasian power is bound to play a major role.
"Pakistan would be making a grave mistake if it omits Russia from its calculations," the daily warned.