Tightrope balancing act

• Pakistan has to be unwaveringly impartial in Saudi-Iran ties

 It is metaphorically like running with the hares and hunting with the hounds simultaneously, but Pakistan has so far proved adroit at maintaining diplomatic equilibrium with the Saudis and Iran, and its neutral stance has paid rich dividends, as relations with Saudi Arabia remain ‘normal’ while ties with Iran have improved in recent months, particularly in border management. Iran harboured reservations at Pakistan’s intimate involvement in Saudi-sponsored Muslim Military Alliance, which by excluding Tehran, Iraq and Syria, looked as if it were deliberately designed as a single sect affair. By stoutly resisting an active military role in Yemen, Pakistan showed its middle-of-the-road intent, earning some harsh comments from a Gulf Sheikhdom, but also gaining Iran’s trust. Timely shuttles between Tehran and Riyadh by the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Army chief have allayed  suspicions about Pakistan’s strictly unbiased attitude and kept tri-lateral relations on an even keel. But Islamabad was also outspoken when missiles were fired from Yemen targeting Riyadh.

Iran has responded positively in addressing Pakistan’s own concerns over Chabahar port, barely 75 kilometers from Gwadar, and the cosying up with the Indians that it entails, especially as the latter are also well-entrenched in Kabul. Since the first wheat shipment from India destined for Afghanistan reached Chabahar last month, Indian diplomats and Afghan fellow-travelers had been crowing about by-passing Pakistan, of out-flanking Karachi port for transshipments, and generally creating a big hype about future Chabahar-Gwadar rivalry. But on the occasion of inauguration of first phase of Chabahar by the Iranian President on December3 Pakistan, instead of sulking, sent its Minister for Maritime Affairs to the ceremony, and the Iranian leader, in a gracious gesture, specifically made him stand at his side, a symbolic message to India that the Iran-India relationship is not directed against Pakistan, nor Chabahar against Gwadar, and the two ports would complement each other.

Pakistan must act as a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as their deep divide has badly undermined unity of the Muslim world, and emboldened the real enemy to take opportunistic advantage, as in the latest land grab of East Jerusalem, the supposed future capital of a Palestinian state.