Strained retaliations need to be mended by removing misunderstandings
Despite the usual reiteration of bonds of religion and culture and the desire expressed by both sides to live like good neighbours, relations between Pakistan and Iran remain less than ideal. Among the issues that continue to cast a shadow over their ties is the closeness between Pakistan and the gulf Arabs on the one hand and between Iran and India on the other. The unending incidents on the Pak-Iran border have caused further complications. Tehran thinks terrorist groups financed by the CIA and Saudi Arabia use Pakistan’s territory to stage attacks inside Iran. Rockets launched by the Iranian army on the terrorist groups or their perceived shelters fall inside Pakistan leading to protests from Islamabad. That Indian spy Kulbhushan Jhadhev arrested by security agencies last year was operating from Chabahar was resented strongly by Pakistan’s government.
The emergence of an unpredictable Trump on the scene, the increase in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and the presence of ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Afghan Taliban and several other terrorist networks in the region pose threats to both Pakistan and Iran. This has led the two countries to restart attempts to improve their relations. Soon after Pakistan rejected Trump’s Afghan policy, Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif proceeded to consult friendly countries that included China, Turkey and Iran. While Saudi Arabia, the first country visited by PM Abbasi, maintained a discrete silence, China, Turkey and Iran supported Pakistan’s stand that talks were the only way to bring peace to Afghanistan.
Gen Bajwa needs to convince the Iranian leadership that Pakistan’s close ties with the Gulf Arab states are not meant to harm Iran. The misunderstandings created by former COAS Raheel Shareef’s joining the so called International Islamic Army under Saudi Arabia control need to be addressed. It will help Pakistan more and will raise its image if it is not as seen a partisan but a country which has good relations with both the Arab states and Iran and can thus play the role of an honest broker to help end their disputes. Iran needs to satisfy Pakistan that its ties with India are not meant to hurt Pakistan. Tehran should also advise New Delhi to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan through dialogue.