WITH the Pakistan Army hosting Russian Deputy Chief of General Staff Colonel General Israkov Sergi Yuryevich on a visit to North Waziristan, analysts were quick to note a new friendship developing between Pakistan and Russia.

`This is an interesting and unusual development. The military relations between the two countries are growing rapidly but we cannot be so forward as to call it an alliance yet,` Pakistan`s former military attaché to Afghanistan retired Brigadier Saad Mohammad said during a talk show on a private TV channel.

Brig Saad said the relationship only started to mend when Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu visited Pakistan in November 2014 `and signed a defence cooperation contract with us`.

`Last year`s military exercise is an example of the countries` mutual interests, apart from that the naval forces of both countries participated in `Arabian Monsoon`exercises in 2014 and again in 2015,` said the former defence attaché referring to last year`s special forces drills conducted in Pakistan.

Brig Saad, however, pointed out that an alliance between Pakistan and Russia would not be without China, amutual friend. `The prospect of an alliance between Pakistan and Russia will not be possible without their mutual friend China`. He also said that Turkey too was interested in such an alliance.

`Turkey is also interested to be part of the group and I know for a fact that President Erdogan has shown his willingness in the matter,` Brig Saad added.

`So this will be a four-way alliance between China, Turkey Russia and Pakistan and there is a lot of restlessness in the US regarding this prospective alliance and we cannot rule out the US factor as they are sitting in Afghanistan right now,` Brig Saad cautioned, but also said, `The game is on.

Hinting that the ongoing tug-of-war between the US and Russia in the region may be a reason for Russia`s developing interest in Pakistan, Brig Saad said, `We should not forget that there was a time when there was a Quadrilateral Coordination Group consisting of China, Pakistan, US and Afghanistan to discuss reconciliation in Afghanistan in 2016,` Brig Saad said and added,`This threatened Russia and it entered into separate talks with China and Pakistan regarding Afghanistan.

`So Russia wants to bring Afghanistan under its influence as much as the US does, and Pakistan has prior experience dealing with Afghan Taliban,` Brig Saadfurther said.

`Our history with Afghanistan and the Taliban and our friendship with China are the two reasons for this interest.

Talat Masood, a defence analyst, referred to the recent change in relations as a qualitative change.

`It is one of the good things happening to Pakistan and shows how the scenario is changing at the regional and global level,` said Mr Masood.

The defence analyst added that President Putin of Russia was pursuing a clever and aggressive policy with Pakistan in regards to improving diplomatic relations.

`The current Russian policy neutralises Indian designs against Pakistan and shows that the country has not been isolated,` added Mr Masood.

`It is ironic that for almost four decades the situation was completely opposite.

`Enemies are moving towards becoming allies and friends, which is beneficial for all keeping the current geo-politics in perspective,` elaborated the defence analyst.

Mr Masood also said Pakistan was now emerging as a country with significant geo-strategic importance and economic development.

`Pakistan is getting rid of isolationism.