The decision to resume diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a significant development in world affairs, especially in the Middle East and the Muslim Ummah. The deal was brokered by China in Beijing, which was a result of long hindsight negotiations between Riyadh and Tehran that had been continuing for years.
Under the new understanding, the two countries have agreed to re-open their embassies and missions within two months with an affirmation of respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in the internal affairs of each other.
It is broadly viewed that the resumption of diplomatic ties between two Gulf adversaries will bring stability to the Middle East. The world could see a reduction in tensions in the Gulf that have led to continued violence and instability in Yemen and the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula.
Besides lowering the temperature between Riyadh and Tehran over Yemen, the deal will also help forward Prince Mohammed Bin Sultan’s vision of diversifying his country’s economy away from hydrocarbons. In view of all this, Saudi Arabia gives its security and stability paramount importance to ensure that oil drilling, transport, and sales are not interrupted and that the Kingdom is seen as a secure place for long-term foreign direct investment.
The deal has also acknowledged China as a strategic player rather than just a trading partner. The United States has commercial as well as defence ties with Saudi Arabia, while on the other hand, Washington does not enjoy good relations with Tehran.
On the contrary, China has no ambitious agenda of establishing political domination as it is focused on good relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran. But economic and commercial ties often give way to political engagement, which eventually can lead to intelligence and security cooperation.
However, in a particular context of the politics of regional blocs, Beijing is also providing an alternative to the United States. The US-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, popularly known as the “Quad,” comprising India, Australia, and Japan, is a bright example of American influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The growing defence cooperation between the United States and India has also jeopardized peace in the South Asian region. Apparently, Washington is preparing New Delhi to counter Beijing’s influence in the region that had muddied the environment of peaceful economic cooperation amongst the regional countries.
India’s stubbornness has made the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) totally a dead platform, as New Delhi’s political ambitions have blocked the way of development, progress, and prosperity of the SAARC nations. However, the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran has kindled hope of better cooperation among the regional and Muslim nations. Pakistan has friendly and warm relations with China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
It will provide leverage to Islamabad to further enhance economic relations with Tehran and speed up the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and other projects for the benefit of the two nations. Pakistan has warmly welcomed the normalization of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Pakistan firmly believes this important diplomatic breakthrough will contribute to peace and stability in the region.
