To the surprise of the world, two archrivals Iran and Saudi Arabia have announced to restore diplomatic relations after the lapse of seven years. The credit for this diplomatic breakthrough goes to china and its leadership that brought the two major Muslim countries to the table for the common good of the region.
The breakthrough is a diplomatic victory for the Chinese and it is a reflection of Chinese influence on global affairs. Its role in mediation between two staunch rivals is a significant turn-around from its past ambition to solely focus on its economic growth. This development indicates that China has decided to succeed United States' role as a mediator in regional conflicts which must be a worrying sign for the US and Israel collectively. They may applaud the accord, but it will be seen how they react to it overtly and covertly.
The accord will bring relief to the smaller Muslim countries that were previously manipulated by these two regional arch-enemies. Their tilt and support towards one of the two states plowed the seeds of sectarianism and uprisings in many countries that destroyed not only its infrastructure but also took the lives of millions of its inhabitants.
It is an unprecedented victory for Iran itself. Though it faces the harshest sanctions and pressure from major European countries, the UN, and the US; there are still opportunities for trade with Saudi Arabia and other regional countries within the parameters of its sanctioned regime. Iran, being a major oil producer, has a great advantage in influencing the global energy market.
It is a moment of deep concern for all Muslim countries that because of the West’s divide and conquer policy, we could not keep up with the legacy of our heroes. Muslim scientists flourished in all fields of life, however many other factors but mainly our internal strife has prevented us from achieving what the West has achieved in the past three centuries. Thus, it is time to unite and focus on achieving scientific victories because knowledge and progress are not the monopoly of any particular race, religion, or region, and Muslim Scientists and students do not lack any capacity to discover and invent what the Westerners can.
Main Article (Talat Masood)
The
recent announcement that Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to restore
diplomatic relations after a lapse of seven years and agreed to reactivate a
2001 security cooperation accord and an earlier pact on trade, economy and
environment augurs well for the stability of the Middle East. If implemented
faithfully it could be a turning point in the relations of the two most
important Muslim countries with positive implications for the region. The
credit for this diplomatic breakthrough goes primarily to the sagacious Chinese
leader President Xi Jinping and his foreign minister who has been working
behind the scenes with great subtlety in bringing the two countries to
cooperate for the common good of their people.
It is a
great victory for Chinese diplomacy and a reflection of the statesmanship and
positive outlook as it knew that the entire dynamic of the Middle East could
change with this development provided the agreement is implemented faithfully.
More significantly, the ability of outside powers especially the US to
manipulate events and promote discord among these countries for their warped
objectives would be greatly reduced. It is amazing how America that has been
the most influential and dominating player in the Middle East finds itself on
the sidelines. Israel obviously, being an arch enemy of Iran and the major
source of discord for its illegal occupation of Palestine, is greatly
disturbed. Its efforts to get closer to Saudi Arabia to drive a wedge between
Saudi Arabia and Iran thankfully have not worked and it finds itself at a loss.
This accord has come at a time when Israeli atrocities on the Palestinians are at
its peak. It is to be seen how it reacts to it overtly and covertly.
The
détente between these two countries will bring relief to smaller Muslim nations
in the region as they have been used by these two powers in pursuit of their
ideological success and power play. In the process some of these countries have
sharply divided communities on sectarian fault lines. There is the other school
of thought that feels that these two major powers would be “dividing up the
region amongst themselves at the expense of the interest of smaller countries”.
This view is essentially a reflection of frustration of those who were banking
on differences and enmity among Ummah. What is good news that regional states
Iraq and Yemen that enjoy good relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia played
a very useful role in facilitating the agreement.
A major
benefit of the reproachment would be that it would overtime reduce their heavy
dependence on super and major powers for their security. And above all allow
them greater freedom to shape the destiny of their nations in the interest of
its people rather that as vehicles or instruments of manipulation by major
powers. They should be able to exercise greater leverage, commensurate with
their national power while dealing with external powers and should be in a
better position to focus more on the genuine welfare of their people and the
fundamental interests of the country.
Another
positive outcome of the agreement, provided it is implemented in letter and
spirit, could be that the minorities, Shia and Sunni, can expect a fairer
treatment and their loyalties will not be subjected to doubt. From a Pakistani
perspective or for that matter in countries where there is presence of Muslims
of both denominations inter-sect harmony should improve.
Hopefully,
the trade and commercial activity between Saudi Arabia and Iran would increase,
once the UN sanctions are lifted. Nonetheless, there are several items that
fall outside the ambit of sanctions that could be traded. Being the major
producers of oil, they have a great advantage of influencing the global energy
market.
The deal
would be a blessing for Iran as it comes at a time when it is undergoing the
harshest sanctions that have brought enormous misery and poverty to its people.
Although Saudi Arabia and other nations have to engage with Iran within the
parameters of its sanctioned regime, still there is considerable scope for
cooperation as the recent Saudi-Iranian agreement indicates.
It
should be a matter of concern for leaders of Saudi Arabia, Iran and other
Muslim countries that they are lagging way behind in science and technology and
education in general and are heavily dependent on major powers in several
critical fields of national activity. History reminds us that in 16th and
17th century, Muslim countries had progressed to a level that they were
considered to be leading in certain arts and sciences. To rise from the present
decline would need a herculean effort spread over years that we do not foresee
or expect at least in the near future. Qualitative change can come about if
leaders are visionary and dedicated; as progress is not the monopoly of any
race, religion or country. If the focus of Muslim countries is correct and they
are able to provide quality education and a fair political environment, the
potential is there to alter the strategic dynamic of their region.
America
has welcomed the development but underlying misgivings about Iran persist.
There are concerns that lately Saudi Arabia is asserting itself, broadening its
contacts and seeking closer relations with China and Russia, while maintaining
its historical ties with US.
It would
be interesting to compare China’s efforts at playing a major role in Middle
East to what the US has been playing and continues to do so in South America,
West Asia and several countries of Africa. Apparently, China’s self-interest in
promoting the Saudi-Iranian deal apart from enhancing its international stature
as a major regional and global player will serve its economic interests as prices
of oil in the international market would come down and in due course stabilise.
This would enable it to maintain its competitive edge in a free global market.
Whatever the motives as long as these converge with the interests of Iran,
Saudi Arabia and the region is what matters.
Published in The Express Tribune, March
15th, 2023.
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