Latest Saudi visit: A diplomatic conundrum

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Latest Saudi visit
A diplomatic conundrum

Prime Minister Imran Khan is in Saudi Arabia for the fourth time in a year on “official business” as part of “regular exchanges” between the leadership of the two countries. But reports suggest that the PM has scuttled over to The Kingdom in order to address Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s (MbS) concerns over the former’s confirmation he will attend the Kuala Lumpur Summit next week. Hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the KL summit irks Saudi Arabia because they aren’t invited while other Muslim-majority countries like Turkey, Qatar and Iran were. MbS sees the KL summit as an attempt to undermine and possibly provide an alternative to the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). For Pakistan this will be a tricky diplomatic problem to solve. On one hand it has received and expects to receive more financial aid from Saudi Arabia in the form of deferred oil payments and foreign exchange reserve support. So, there is an extent to which Pakistan can upset the Saudis while maintaining a necessary working relationship.

On the other hand there are allies who are attending the KL Summit; allies that are equally important if not more so. Malaysia is one of two countries that have openly supported our stance on the Kashmir issue while it also opens up trade opportunities for us in South East Asia. The second country is Turkey, which has condemned India’s actions in Kashmir. Additionally, we trade military equipment with Turkey quite frequently with many deals still in the pipeline. Pakistan has offered to provide Qatar security for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Iran is a crucial neighbour that provides electricity to far-flung areas in Pakistan where our infrastructure cannot reach very easily. It is therefore a tightrope walk that Pakistan’s foreign office, diplomats and the PM will have to undertake in order to keep everyone on both ends happy. Diplomatic relations between countries should not be one-dimensional nor be affected by one country’s misplaced insecurities about another. It would therefore be wise for Mr Khan to pacify the Saudis and fulfil his commitment to attend the KL summit himself.

by Taboola

The Editorial Department of Pakistan Today can be contacted at: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/12/14/latest-saudi-visit/

 

[Chakar The Great]

Pakistan is at the central stage of Muslim world and values its relationship with Saudia Arabia where largest number of Pakistani work and send remittances back home.

Pakistani state is doing its best to maintain its relations with all Muslim countries.

 

[TsAr]

Remember Saudia also needs Pakistan as much as we need them.

 

[Lincoln]

So what if Saudi Arabia isn't invited. What has the OIC done, what has Saudi Arabia done.

Imran Khan should tell them off and himself go to the KL summit. If Turkey is there, Malaysia is there, then Imran Khan MUST go, no ifs or buts.
Where were the Saudis on Kashmir issue, where were the Saudis on Islamophobic issues. **** them.

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

Remember Saudia also needs Pakistan as much as we need them.

If not more.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Remember Saudia also needs Pakistan as much as we need them.

I think it's about Saudi Arabia recognises this. For far too long they've expected Pakistan to simply follow them.

Since, for the first time when Pakistani parliament passed a resolution to stay out of the Yemen War (and rightly so), Saudi Arabia has been trying to coerce, pressure, insult and isolate Pakistan by conspicuously building relationships with India that seem threatening to Pakistan's national security.

Saudi Arabia will learn like the West and the Soviet Union learnt in the past that when you try to put this nation against the wall, there'll be a severe price to pay.

Pakistan built nuclear weapons for its very own survival despite the US Ambassador Henry Kissinger threatened PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto that "the US will make a horrible example of him" if he did not seize the atomic program. But the Islamic Bomb was tested in 1998 despite sanctions.

Pakistan also faced a mighty nuclear Superpower, the Soviet Union, military to ensure they do not ever threaten Pakistan's security again.

So, PM Khan's humble steps to persuade the young Saudi Prince MBS to change his attitude towards Pakistan should not be taken lightly.

 

[V. Makarov]

Remember Saudia also needs Pakistan as much as we need them.

insert *Doubt.jpeg*
If you are thinking of a Pakistani nuclear shadow for S.A, then I think you are wrong. Pakistan would not add S.A into the complex politics of Nuclear weapons. Pakistan cannot have another hostile border to the West. I think Afghanistan is enough to keep Pakistan busy.

As Pakistan's ties with China improve and the economic cooperation increases further, the 'strategic' ties with S.A will have little value.

 

[HAIDER]

I think Khan made good progress in resolving Iran-Saudi problem.

 

[k s ahmed]

Oic is dead. Been dead for years.
We should put Saudi on a side unless they get their brains back and become real muslms and care for our causes too ( Not that we ourselves are better
World changed day in and out. So if we get to a chance to have better progress with other set of countries , so be it. Oic or non oic.

 

[Khanate]

Kashmir plays a huge role in Pakistan's foreign policy and in that Malaysia and Turkey are supporting Pakistan. This is our new reality. Though I would like Pakistan to counter India in Malaysia domestically as well whether it is on the economic, diplomatic or cultural front.

 

[shahbaz baig]

unfortunately neither PM imran khan nor SMQ are attending KL summit just becase of KSA reservation or i must say SMQ's ego.

Either it's Mohammad Bin salman's dictation OR Pakistan's compulsion/interest?