Russia Backs Pakistan, Opposes US Move on Religious Freedom Watch List

Russia has declared its support for Pakistan in response to the United States’ decision to include both countries on its religious freedom watch list. In a statement released on Tuesday, Russian Ambassador to Pakistan, Khorev Albert Pavlovich, criticized the US State Department’s move as a direct interference in internal affairs.

The US religious freedom designations, published on January 4, categorized Pakistan, along with several other nations, as a Country of Particular Concern for allegedly engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom. Russia, along with China, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, was among those named.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office promptly rejected this designation, expressing deep dismay and describing it as a biased and arbitrary assessment. Pakistan asserted its status as a pluralistic nation, expressing concern over the omission of India from the list, raising questions about the credibility of the entire process.

The Russian envoy’s statement accused the West of using the pretext of protecting human rights to impose false values on nations and undermine traditional religions. It explicitly supported Pakistan’s stance, as articulated in the Foreign Ministry’s press release on January 8, emphasizing the need to address issues of religious intolerance through mutual understanding and respect.

The diplomatic rift reflects growing tensions between the US and Russia on the international stage, with both countries taking opposing positions on matters of religious freedom and human rights. The statements from the Russian embassy highlight Moscow’s rejection of external interference and alignment with Pakistan’s call for resolving religious intolerance issues through diplomatic means.