Saudi-Iran Peace: Prospects for Pakistan and the region

In a world where people are unfortunately no longer used to receiving good news, the renewal of diplomatic relations and the establishment of peace between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, after years of animosity and proxy wars, is a welcome and extraordinary development on both regional and global level. The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. The entire Muslim world has awaited this momentous event since the Iranian Revolution, and it has been made possible by the People's Republic of China, an outcome that no individual could have foreseen. The implications of the Saudi-Iranian peace accord are manifold, with potentially positive changes for multilateral relationships, as well as geopolitical and geoeconomic contexts, particularly in the case of Pakistan.

Role of China as world leader

The unexpected and noteworthy progress in the relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran was made feasible due to China's arbitration. While influential nations have historically engaged in power politics and pursued the strategy of fragmentation, China, in contrast, acted differently. By facilitating the historic peace accord, China emerged as a global power that prioritized promoting peace and amicable relations over the practice of divide and rule. China conveyed a message to the world that peace and cordiality, rather than conflict, are advantageous for all parties involved. While some may speculate about China's expansionist intentions behind the arbitration, overall, this is a commendable stride towards positive development.

Prospects for Pakistan

The potential for a Saudi-Iran peace accord is of significant importance for Pakistan, given its amicable relations with both nations. Pakistan's oil dependency primarily lies with Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, resulting in exorbitant transportation costs and high consumer prices. Moreover, the country's electricity production, up to 70%, is reliant on oil, leading to its availability at steep prices for consumers. Consequently, this has fueled Pakistan's economic crisis, with 90% of government subsidies utilized to repay the power sector's circular debt owed to independent power producers. Despite the fact that purchasing oil from Iran could be more affordable, Pakistan has been unable to secure such a deal owing to Saudi Arabia's historic antagonistic relations with Iran. The recent détente in relations between the two nations, however, provides hope that Saudi Arabia would withstand the pressure, and would not take a hardline on Pakistan purchasing oil from Iran, thus paving the way for completion of the Pakistan-Iran Pipeline and importation of Iranian oil. The acquisition of oil from Iran could alleviate, if not completely resolve, Pakistan's economic challenges.

Furthermore, the Sunni-Shia schism that has characterized the Saudi-Iran rift has spilled over into Pakistan also. With diverse communities comprising Sunnis, Shias, and other sects, the escalation of conflicts between Saudi Arabia and Iran has resulted in Sunni-Shia riots, sectarianism, and religious disharmony in Pakistan. With the new improved relations between the two nations, it is expected that tensions between the Sunnis and Shias in Pakistan will ease, enabling these groups to coexist harmoniously.

End of proxy wars in Middle East

The decades-long hostility between Saudi Arabia and Iran has not only resulted in their own suffering but also caused the loss of millions of innocent lives, homes, children, and loved ones in their proxy wars. Despite their rivalry lasting over four decades, the two nations have never engaged in an actual battlefield confrontation. Instead, they have fought on the battlegrounds of Yemen, where Iran supports the Houthi rebels, and the Yemeni forces have the support of the Saudi government. Unfortunately, the Yemeni people have borne the brunt of this proxy war, suffering significant losses in terms of lives and properties, while Saudi Arabia and Iran have experienced minimal losses. This is just one example of how countries such as Syria, Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, and others have been adversely affected by the proxy wars between these two nations. However, thanks to China's efforts to foster a cordial diplomatic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran, these wars may finally come to an end, providing much-needed relief to the unfortunate citizens caught in the crossfire.

 How Israel sees Saudi-Iran peace?

While the international community may view the potential reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in a favorable light, the same may not hold true for Israel. Israel has historically taken a pro-Saudi Arabia stance while simultaneously opposing Iran, citing their support for Hamas and Hezbollah against Israel. Israel has accused Iran in the past of providing weapons and strategic assistance to Hamas via the Mediterranean in the West Bank. The resumption of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran may not align with Israel's national interests, as they are apprehensive about Iran's increasing regional influence. Iran is a significant regional power and has always opposed Israel's presence in Palestine. Israel may perceive Iran's growing influence as a potential threat to its interests, particularly as they believe that Iran's support for Hamas and Hezbollah could result in increased resistance to Israel's expansion in the region.

Conclusion

To sum up, the revival of diplomatic relations and establishment of peace between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a historic achievement that has the potential to bring positive changes not only in the region but also globally. The role of China in brokering this landmark peace deal highlights its role as an emerging world leader, and the importance of peaceful coexistence among nations. The prospects for Pakistan are significant as it could potentially solve its economic crisis and alleviate sectarian tensions. Moreover, the end of proxy wars could bring much-needed relief to the citizens of countries that have suffered due to the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. However, it remains to be seen how Israel will react to this development, as it has always held an anti-Iran stance. Overall, the Saudi-Iran peace deal is a step towards a more peaceful and prosperous world, and it is a welcome development that should be celebrated by all those who value peace and stability.