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hand, appears to have emerged as a positive Pakistan has an opportunity to take measures to
factor in recent years. The tussle in Afghanistan, mitigate the strife between Iran and Saudi Arabia
terrorism and the war on terrorism, the situation while maintaining balanced relations with both of
of Balochistan in Pakistan and consequently the them. As a matter of fact, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi
role of non-state actors there and the state Arabia (along with Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia and
actions against them, as well as the Shia-Sunni Sudan) are the most important countries of the
sectarian discord are some of the key areas Muslim world. An amity and harmony among
without acquiring harmony upon which it may these countries can play a vital role in resisting
not be possible for Pakistan and Iran to foster the Anti-Muslim atmosphere and conspiracies at
their bilateral relations on strong footings. It is the global level.
thus necessary for both the countries to further
China will assume an even more important role in
their political, economic and cultural ties in the
international affairs in the coming days. While its
given context.
relations with Pakistan are seen as exemplary,
United States being the major player globally as Iran-China relations have also been fostering off
well in the region has failed to show a genuine late. The trigon of Pakistan, China and Iran can
interest in ensuring peace in the region and has bring extraordinary progress to the regions
largely been concerned with its own benefits. The peace, politics and economy. Apparently, this
nature of relationship with the US takes quite does not seem unfathomable. In fact, the
different shapes when seen for Iran and Pakistan significance and importance of such cooperation
distinctly. While Iran is known as a nation and a is already realized by the three countries
state that has taken exception to US policies and especially in the context of CPEC. Undoubtedly,
initiatives, Pakistans trajectory of relations with progress for all is the progress for everyone.
US is a tale of love-hate on both sides.
India is an important country in the region. The
Lately, there have been renewed connections
friction in its relations with Pakistan is well-
between Pakistan and Iran (following US
known. At the same time, the relations between
statements portraying Pakistan negatively)
Iran and India have generally remained good.
whereas the level of mutual cooperation has also
Recently, however, India has hurt Irans interests
improved with the high-level exchanges and
repeatedly for its own interests as well as to
contacts between military and intelligence
foster its strategic relations with the U.S. It is
agencies of both countries over the matters of
often noticed with a surprise in Pakistan that
Afghanistan as well as on the regional scenario. A
despite Indias obvious priorities, Iran offers it
continuity, rather amelioration of these contacts
privileges that result in increasing the influence
is needed to sustain mutual ties and to establish
of India (and consequently of America) in the
common positions on various issues.
region and which also effect the balance of
The historically tense environment between Iran relations between Pakistan and India.
and Saudi Arabia (including the rest of the Arab
There are signs of some change regarding
world) is a sad reality. Although Pakistan has
trajectory of relations with India in the Iranian
always tried to maintain balanced relations with
policy circles due to the hardliner Hindu
both the countries, any friction in relations of Iran
government in power and its generally hostile
and Saudi Arabia also affects relations of Pakistan
behavior towards Muslims. Unless Iranian
and Iran. Currently, Iran-Saudi Arabia strife has
influence on India leads to a change in the overall
been evidently reflecting in Syria, Yemen, Iraq,
Indian attitude, it would be regarded as an
Afghanistan and other areas. The situation has
assuring change for Pakistanis and they would
not ceased even now. The global powers, to serve
naturally like to see it maturing soon.
their own interests, are also engaged in
amplifying the frictions. Though the atmosphere The closeness in Pakistani and Iranian policies
of friction is still continued, there have been following the arrival of Soviet Union in
some progress in improving contacts between Afghanistan played an important role in its failure
Iran and Saudi Arabia. in the region. The decade of 1990s, however, saw
Pakistan and Iran pursuing divergent objectives in
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Afghanistan. The distances formed at that time as strategically and with all the factors in sight and
well as the perceptions of continued support for stakeholders onboard.
distinct groups remain a major reason for lack of
Pakistans Balochistan province has always had a
mutual trust.
strategic significance due to its location, largely
The realization for the need to play a supportive untapped and abundant natural resources, a long
and enabling role to help Afghanistan resolve its coastline, and of late especially because of CPEC.
problem is often seen in statements from Regional and extra-regional powers have been
leadership of both the countries. Both countries conspiring to exploit the fault lines as well as
have however failed to evolve any coordinated or weak governance in this region. On the other
mutually discussed measures. Both countries hand, criminal groups involved in drug trafficking,
also share the perception, obviously at social and smuggling and trafficking of humans are also
levels at least, that global and regional powers active here, which have remained a source of
have developed such stakes in Afghanistan for trouble for both states. This province borders
which instability provides more conducive Iran and people have centuries-old relations with
environment. It is encouraging to see in this the people residing across the border. The
situation that there exists a trilateral dialogue concerns of Iran and Pakistan regarding Seistan
mechanism (involving Afghanistan, Pakistan and and Balochistan respectively ask for a closer and
Iran) and it only needs be made more impactful. more frequent interaction. Otherwise, the
external players might exploit the circumstances
Another matter somewhat connected with
to bring both states in clear resentment against
Afghanistan is of terrorism. An unfortunate fact is
each other. Dialogue based on a comprehensive
that the ongoing war against terrorism
strategy and necessary actions while keeping into
throughout the world is being waged without
account all the factors are needed to remove any
even defining the term properly, which means
misunderstandings and mistrust between the
that it can always offer the room for
two countries with regard to the situation in
manipulation and interpretation on the basis of
Balochistan.
vested interests or diverse objectives. This, in
practice, means that every country has There have also been several misunderstandings
developed its own definitions and priorities regarding Gwadar port in Balochistan and
regarding terrorism. It should also be accepted Chabahar port in Iran. In view of Indias keen
that there has been a lack of harmony between interest in development of Chabahar and its
Pakistan and Iran over this matter as well. Need increasing anti-Pakistan role in Afghanistan, the
of the time now is to focus on this matter as well mistrust in Pakistan is not unwarranted. This is
during mutual interactions. despite the fact that Indias actual financial
allocation has been slow. Feeling these
One form of terrorism is the violent activities of
sentiments, Iran has publicly denied any Anti-
sectarian organizations. There are certain
Pakistan agenda pertaining to the Chabahar port.
organizations in Pakistan whose activities and
It is also encouraging that the talks are being held
narratives impact Pak-Iran relations negatively.
at different levels (including a joint Pak-Iran
These narratives not only discuss local
parliamentary team) regarding cooperation
perspectives but wider contexts as well, even
between the two ports whereas Iran has also
including complaints in reference to Iranian
made several positive announcements pertaining
Balochistan (Seistan). Apart from confronting
to CPEC.
these organizations involved in hostile activities,
their narratives should also be brought into A big hindrance in realizing the possibilities of
attention. trade is the absence of any mutual banking
mechanism. Recently, there has been some
The factors patronizing sectarian divide have also
progress and final decisions and their practical
involved some religious education institutions
implementation should also be expected soon.
(madaris) in the matter. The situation has played
a role in plaguing the minds of public, and then When it comes to bilateral economic relations,
eventually extending its effects to the the hindering of the project of Pak-Iran gas
governments level. This need be addressed pipeline reflects both a positive and negative
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sign. Vast resources of natural gas with Iran and a direct flight between Lahore and Tehran is a
the dire shortage of energy in Pakistan make this good progress in the context of bilateral trade
project extraordinarily important and potentially and establishing people-to-people connections
a win-win project for both the countries. Yet the between the two countries.
project is also a symbol of negative involvement
The academic cooperation and augmentation of
of a third entity between Pakistan and Iran. Iran
contacts between think tanks and higher
rightfully complains that it has done its part on
educational institutions is also mandatory to
the project but Pakistan has not reciprocated. As
establish deep rooted relations between the two
a matter of fact, this project was first sabotaged
countries. Realizing the challenges faced by
by India, and then Pakistan remained under
Muslims in the name of so-called clash of
pressure to abstain from doing its part in view of
civilizations, the opportunities for media and
sanctions imposed on Iran. One should expect
cultural cooperation should also be increased.
that serious efforts will be made in coming days
to sort this matter effectively. The recent start of
Prepared by IPS Task Force | For queries: Mairaj-ul-Hamid, Research Coordinator, IPS (mairaj@ips.net.pk) | www.ips.org.pk
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