Over the coming days, Pakistan will need to indulge in some very fine diplomacy as it negotiates the international situation that has developed following Riyadh’s decision to sever ties with Tehran after the Saudi embassy in the Iranian capital was attacked to protest the execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr in the Kingdom. The visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmad Al-Jubeir had been planned before these developments, but it seems likely the matter would have come up during his meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, National Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and COAS General Raheel Sharif. In a statement, the Pakistan Foreign Office said it had expressed concern over the escalating situation. Beyond this issue, Pakistan also stated it would support the 34-member military alliance unexpectedly set up by Saudi Arabia in December last year to counter terrorism and other acts of crime. Pakistan was included among the countries that are to be part of the alliance, although according to newspaper reports Pakistan was not consulted ahead of this announcement.
There is no doubt that Pakistan sees Saudi Arabia as an extremely important ally in terms of economic, political and strategic interests. During the meetings in Islamabad, the common aims of both countries were discussed and Pakistani friendship for Saudi Arabia stressed. A scheduled press conference by Sartaj Aziz and Saudi FM Jubier was however cancelled, possibly to counter potentially awkward questions on the Saudi-Iran diplomatic meltdown. This is a situation that Pakistan needs to handle with immense delicacy. We stand at a very precarious position given that Iran is both an immediate neighbour and an ally, while Saudi Arabia has for decades been one of Islamabad’s strongest supporters. The displeasure directed Islamabad’s way after it unexpectedly declined to join in military actions against anti-Saudi Yemeni rebels somewhat shook that strong bond. Islamabad appears to be anxious it not be shaken any further. But for us, the key is that Pakistan put its own interests ahead of all else. It must not be drawn, or be seen as being drawn, into any effort to take sides in what could be a very ugly battle. Proxy wars featuring Iran and Saudi Arabia are already being fought across the Arab world. The most sensible role for Islamabad would be to act as peacemaker. For this, it needs to work on linking up with other Muslim countries, including Turkey, Malaysia and other states that may be open to the idea of helping to mend tattered relations between the two most powerful states in the region. Pakistan also needs to keep in mind domestic sensibilities. The protests staged in Islamabad during the Saudi foreign minister’s visit are a warning of this. We must tread with extreme care. http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/88980-Delicate-diplomacy.
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