N . P. Upadhyaya, Kathmandu: Pakistan’s top diplomat Foreign Minister S. M. Qureshi brought inadvertently the traditional brotherly Pakistan-Saudi Arabian relations to a nadir when he in the first week of August 2020 made uncommon comments against the Saudi Kingdom which had been exhibiting its continued reluctance in denouncing the Indian regime for the annexation of occupied Kashmir on August 5, 2019.
The Saudi unwillingness was taken world over as a special favor to the Indian establishment as against its commercial transactions with the Islamophobic country-India.
In fact FM Qureshi castigated the Saudi Kingdom for having ignored the convening of the foreign ministers special meeting of the 57 member block of Islamic countries which is considered to be the second largest inter-governmental body after the United Nations.
Saudi Arabia is perceived as the undeclared boss of the Islamic Organization-the OIC.
The general impression among the Muslim countries is that the Islamic block works under the whims of the Saudi rulers which is what appears to have pressed the Pakistani foreign minister to ventilate his anger through a domestic TV network.
All that Qureshi wanted on behalf of Pakistan was the summoning of a meeting of the foreign ministers of the OIC which demanded the prior consent of the Saudi rulers for a meeting on Kashmir.
But why the Saudi supremacy?
When enough had been enough, Qureshi appearing on ARY Television networks opined, August 4, 2020, that “I am once again respectfully telling OIC that a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers is our expectation and that if you can’t convene it then I will be compelled to ask my Prime Minister Khan to call a meeting of the Islamic countries that are ready to stand with us on the issue of Kashmir and support the oppressed Kashmiris”.
This was not all. Qureshi further told the ARY TV that “Pakistan would be ready to go for a session outside the Organization, with or without the Saudis as Pakistan could not wait any longer”.
The Qureshi encounter made to Saudi Arabia, claim international observers, was a shot across the bows, seemingly challenging Saudi Arabia’s domineering leadership of the Muslim world, so wrote journalist Asad Hashim for the Al Jazeera dated 28 August, 2020.
Qureshi’s statement hinted how the Pakistani establishment was in need of the special meet of the Islamic block controlled by the Saudis to discuss matters related with the Indian occupied Kashmir after the changed status dated August 5, 2019.
The OIC at times is also taken as ‘Oh I see’-a Muslim organization that delivers nothing on the causes near and dear to the followers of Islam.
The denial of the OIC came at a time for Pakistan when the latter had skipped the Kuala Lumpur summit of a few Muslim countries on Saudis fervent request.
Middle East media sources say that Pakistan skipped the Kuala Lumpur meet only when Riyadh assured that it would convene the OIC meet on Kashmir.
However, the Saudi assurances did not materialize and the Riyadh regime kept a stoic silence which was unbearable and a matter of prestige for FM Qureshi.
It could well be assumed that FM Qureshi spoke when PM Khan may have hinted him to do so.
That Qureshi may have spoken the PM’s opinion got reflected when Imran Khan voiced his serious concerns while talking to a think-tank during his visit to Malaysia around the same time.
As the turn of events proved, Qureshi’s verbal explosions boomeranged.
Two Pakistani journalists Rauf Klasra and Amir Mateen-held a media discussion on the sudden policy shift of Saudi Arabia towards Pakistan.
They both in their own way snubbed Pakistan and the MBS for the “retaliation” from Riyadh.
The two journalists took MbS as a young man with “impulsive behavior”.
This means that PM Khan and FM Qureshi were on the same page on the verbal blast that the latter made on the Saudis? Not unusual though.
However, the diplomatic sensitivities demanded that FM Qureshi should tone down his remarks on the Saudis.
A correction was made then.
Qureshi did what was taken as a matured diplomatic step when he made a rectification and said that “Pakistan-Saudi ties are all time friendly and has ever remained as brotherly relations”.
“Pakistan-Saudi ties are unshakeable” said PM Imran Khan who thus controlled the damage to a greater extent.
A highly arrogant Saudi Crown Prince Mohd Bin Salman, popularly known as MbS instantly retaliated in a very undiplomatic way.
The MbS in a grand departure from the established diplomatic conduct between nations told point blank Pakistan to pay back $ 1 billion of a $ 3 billion loan.
The Saudi kingdom also rejected to renew a deferred oil payments scheme that was part of the same package, aimed at helping Pakistan ease its import bill.
Saudi Arabia had provided this loan on November 2018.
China came to the rescue of Pakistan, as a “reliable and dependable friend” the next minute which is why China and Pakistan’s friendly ties are considered as rock solid.
The way the Saudis squeezed Pakistan is a rare example of how an affluent nation such as the Saudia could exploit a cash strapped “nuclear” nation like Pakistan.
The entire event brought China and Pakistan even closer despite India’s hype that China believed in debt trap policy to which China denies.
Damage control:
To control the impairment, Islamabad sent first its army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to Saudi Arabia soon to sort out the diplomatic spat. Damage control exercise came into action.
Diplomatic aerobics both in Islamabad and Riyadh did miracles and the climax came “indirectly” when the Saudis were taken to task by the new US Administration on matters related with the thrilling broad day light murder of Journalist Jamal Khassogi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
Enters the US:
In addition, the Biden administration also warned the Saudis saying Washington would not turn a blind eye towards the alleged human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia.
In such a critical time, Pakistan’s Prime Minister in a direct manner sent signals to Riyadh stating that Pakistan will stand with the Saudi Kingdom come what may.
It was this gesture from PM Khan that appears to have melted the rigid and impulsive Crown Prince who then invited PM Khan under the clean and green Saudi and the Middle East campaign.
The Iran factor:
But that is not all that met the eye. There is more than meets the eye.
Saudis were stunned when they knew that the US is all set to revive the Iran nuclear deal which in effect compelled Riyadh to revisit its strategy for the region.
A fresh news in the Jerusalem Post dated May 7 says that the US has expressed its readiness to lift many a sanctions on Iran at the Vienna nuclear talks but Tehran is demanding more.
The KSA Prince MbS in an interview said that his country wanted to have “good and special” relationship with Iran.
It was a grand departure from the structured policies of KSA towards Iran.
International media sources claim that Iran and the Saudis are in secret talks with each other without the US help.
The KSA perhaps felt the need to initiate dialogues with foe Iran when the new US President exhibited his soft corner for Iran and directed severe criticisms against KSA which went parallel.
It is this new changed US stance which must have encouraged Riyadh to “adjust” its ties with Tehran and reconcile with Doha and take diplomatic steps accordingly which was amicable to the entire Arab world and beyond.
Doha has considerable soft feelings for Tehran which also may have forced Saudia to mend its strained ties with Doha.
At the moment Riyadh and Doha have restored friendship ending the KSA imposed blockade.
Needless to say, the Saudis are also concerned for their security and sovereignty after the US forces withdrawal from Afghanistan.
So it is this looming or imaginary security threat perceived by the Saudis that compels this country to inch closer to Pakistan which has comparatively a smart, disciplined and brave military competence in the entire region.
By the way, the Saudis have already been benefitting from the experienced defense capabilities of nuclear Pakistan.
Khan’s fresh trip must have brought the security issue on the table from the KSA side considering the US Troops withdrawal and US becoming softer with Iran with Biden’s arrival.
For the Saudis, in the entire area it is Pakistan which can assure the nation on security issues.
The Al Jazeera, May 5, 2021, claims quoting Iraqi President Barham Salih that Iraq has hosted more than one round of talks between regional foes Iran and KSA.
Sources say that the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, is building trust in between Saudi and the Iranians.
A Saudi foreign ministry official has also said that talks between KSA and Iran aim to reduce regional tensions, but added it was too early to judge the outcome and Riyadh wanted to see verifiable deeds, reports Reuters.
This speaks of the Saudis mood of adjusting its ties with its Middle East neighbors plus Pakistan in South Asia.
However, Saudis at the moment appear influenced by Israel and Iran being inimical to Israel, how the two will patch differences will have to be watched?
In fact the entire Arab world is closer to Israel since the Trumpian days and pressure is being built to bring Islamabad closer to Tel Aviv-the so far two differing poles.
PM Khan while in KSA must have been told by MbS to inch closer to Israel to which Khan may have rejected.
Khan expectedly may have encouraged both Iran and the KSA to build peace with each other and thereby contribute to the Middle East security.
Iraq is working in this regard as stated earlier.
Here is a twist:
The former President of Iran. Ahmadinejad talking to Turkish news agency said that “If Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia stand together and act in unity, the landscape of the entire region will completely change”, writes Daily Sabah dated May 7, 2021.
Media sources say that Iran has consistently sought to see a stable and independent Afghanistan which is in its interests but yet would wish to see peace prevails after the US forces exit.
Now the Turkish component enters which may irk the Saudis as Turkey is not in the good book of Saudi Prince.
Turkey had supported Qatar during the Riyadh imposed blockade, to the best of our knowledge.
Is Ahmadinejad talking of an anti-US alliance? If so then it is too bad.
Ahmadinejad must know that President Joe Biden appears to have soft corner for Iran since long. So no teasing please.
Yet the news is that the Turkish Foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is visiting KSA shortly wherein the two regional powers ramp up efforts to mend ties that have become strained over these years.
This is good news for the entire region. Rest let’s watch the events.
Back to the story:
ndeniably, Pakistan PM being excessively close to KSA and Iran so both may (and now Turkey also) have used his good offices to bring the two enemies together and ensure regional security for the larger benefits of the populace who reside in this part of the world.
Since the Saudis and Iranians are at odds and it is only Pakistan in the region which can mediate if and when any political, social and commercial glitches crop up in between the two arch rivals Iran and the Kingdom.
PM Khan’s trip to Saudi Arabia on MbS invitation may have been due to this political reason apart from the Green campaign.
Enters Qamar Bajwa:
What is more than surprising is that prior to PM Khan’s departure to Riyadh, why the Pakistani Army Chief was already in Riyadh in advance as a guest?
He must have been invited hopefully to assess the security threats that may arise in and around the vast expanse of the Middle East after the US forces removal from Afghanistan?
Bajwa who landed in Riyadh on May 4, 2021 instantly brought the derailed Pak-KSA ties to its previous friendly and brotherly level. It was his prime task.
For the moment, the main concern for Pakistan and Saudia appears to be on how to brave the security situation when the US removes its forces from Afghanistan.
Both may also have questions in their minds as to how Iran will take Afghanistan upon US troop’s withdrawal?
Prevalence of security after the forces withdrawal is the prime concern for the entire countries in the Middle East expectedly for which Bajwa could have offered wise counsel.
The Afghan agenda:
Sources say that US forces removal from Afghanistan will bring a total change in the security environment, as discussed earlier, not only in Afghanistan but around entire the region whose reverberations will definitely approach Riyadh also.
The Istanbul conference on Afghanistan, March 24, 2021, which was postponed due to Ramadan too has added to the complexity of the security issue in and around Afghanistan. Its implications could also reach the Arab World as well.
As it is, the Saudis also may have sought assistance from an “experienced” Qamar Bajwa to help contribute in maintaining security in the entire region and share his opinions with the Military leadership of the host country.
Remarkably, a joint statement issued May 8, 2021, upon completion of Khan’s visit to KSA, touches upon the situation in Afghanistan and says that “an inclusive, broad based and comprehensive political settlement is the only way forward and has also urged the Afghan parties to realize the historic opportunity for achieving a political settlement in Afghanistan.
This means that Saudis are also concerned with the Afghanistan situation and wish the security condition doesn’t deteriorate upon forces’ return.
On the Kashmir issue: A Islamabad-Riyadh joint statement issued after the completion of Khan’s visit to KSA, says, “Pakistan and the Saudi Arabia have expressed desire for resolution of Kashmir dispute through dialogue and Afghan conflict through a political settlement.
In addition, the Secretary General of the Saudi controlled Organization of Islamic Countries, Yousef al-Othaimeen who met with PM Khan assured the visiting guest that the OIC has steadfastly supported the Kashmir cause and in this context the Niamey CFM culminated with a comprehensive resolution on the issue.
This is a definite gain of Khan’s trip to Saudi Arabia.
FM Qureshi must have smiled for some specific reasons. And one reason being Islamabad-Riyadh have reset their strained ties.
This “updated” Pakistan-Saudi ties will contribute to institutionalize peace and stability in the entire region that includes South, Central Asia plus Middle East.
That’s all.