AS manifested by the current visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia — endorsed by other latest diplomatic developments between the KSA officials and the government of Pakistan that Islamabad has invited Saudi Arabia to become an indirect partner/direct investor in the Beijing-funded CPEC projects inside Pakistan. The CPEC, widely dubbed as a game changer for the future of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia’s entry to this landmark venture could qualify as a welcome news, especially since it sets a precedent for investors from other countries. Geo-strategically, this development serves to profoundly influence the future dynamics of the CPEC regionally while making a boost to OBOR’s (One Belt One Road) trans-regional connectivity.
During PM’s Imran Khan’s latest visit to Riyadh last month, Saudi Arabia has agreed to give Islamabad $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year, as well as a $3 billion loan in deferred oil import payments for three years, to help ease Pakistan’s economic crisis. Pakistan’s initiative- to offer Saudi Arabia as CPEC’s investment partner- is synonymous to influencing the geopolitical and geo-economic dynamics of the CPEC project, as well as of the region. Though tactically, Saudi partnership based on inwardly and outwardly orchestrated dynamics is being viewed as a major boost for cash-strapped Pakistan facing an economic crisis and critical balance of payments pressure, the entry yet seems to deliver some profound strategic implications.
The government of Saudi Arabia has signed three bilateral grant/ agreements with Pakistan to finance three road infrastructure and energy projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The proposal given to Saudi rulers was to invest in CPEC projects on a bilateral basis yet not on trilateral basis. Both KSA and Pakistan agreed on developing an “oil city” in or around Gwadar in Balochistan. The project fosters new policy dynamics beyond the former regional power tussle dynamics, old style alliance formation or ‘Zero-sum relationship’ between different countries inside and outside the regions. Its spirit is cooperation and not confrontation; collaboration and not competition.
As ties between Riyadh and Washington seem confused, Saudi Arabia drifts towards China “Saudi Arabia has chosen to look at its relations with Asia in the light of rapidly changing geopolitics in the region and beyond. By linking China with the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will optimise trade potential and enhance energy security of China, Pakistan and the wider region, directly benefiting some three billion people in China, South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is one of the many countries that have shown keen interest in participating in the development projects sponsored by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), primarily to relate its economy with China and take steps in achieving its 2030’s Vision. The KSA vision- 2030 Plan is to make the diverse economy in mega projects like powerhouses and energy to turn from its oil dependency. One of pillars of their vision plans to use its unique location and become a global hub for vast economic activities.
For decades, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have maintained a unique alliance, rooted in Al Saud’s self-anointed religious legitimacy, the strength and expertise of Pakistan’s military, the two states’ common geopolitical interests and the 1.5 million Pakistani labourers in the Kingdom. The Saudis see Pakistan, which shares a 565-mile border with Iran and is the only Muslim nation with nuclear weapons, as a vital ally capable of serving as an effective peace mediator in the Muslim world. The Pakistani military has maintained robust intelligence cooperation with Saudi Arabia since 1967. Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief Prince Turki bin Sultan Al Saud famously described Saudi Arabia-Pakistan military cooperation as “probably one of the closest relationships in the world between any two countries.” And most significantly, while maintaining our neutrality in Yemen, Pakistan duly shares its policy stake holder-ship in KSA’s formed IMAFT where the former Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif heads its command. Yet, pragmatism suggests that both States must sign a bilateral security pact.
While Islamabad is genuinely concerned about India’s growing ties with GCC, it is also thoughtful about US-plan to create an Arab-NATO under Bahrain’s captaincy since it may trigger a new geopolitical game in the region. Therefore, Islamabad has taken a right step to mediate in the Yemen War. With Saudi’s determination to invest in Pakistan via CPEC forum will positively reshape the geopolitical aspects of the CPEC project since this will deepen the CPEC linkage to Middle Eastern-OPEC affiliated states and the GCC. Furthermore, with Saudi Arabia’s extending interest into the CPEC development-investment the core of the Pakistan developing economy index will go upward. Yet in the changing geopolitics, Islamabad’s rebalancing ties with both Riyadh and Tehran are important.
Tehran is also showing its interest to participate in this development trajectory. It is a win-win project for everybody in the region and beyond. China is obviously changing the strategic culture through its island-building efforts and its sheer economic importance to its neighbours via Corridor’s developmental synergy. As for China, the Corridor prevents the US from expanding its influence in Southeast Asia thereby influencing the perspective dynamics of Sino-US strategic rivalry Moreover, while seeing from a geostrategic angle, Riyadh’s role as an investor into the CPEC may not only assist Islamabad’s development drive into Gilgit-Baltistan region but also counter India’s divide et impera stratagem against the Muslim Ummah. And it seems a worthy scenario that in all avenues, this growing interwoven strategic partnership between a Muslim nuclear power Pakistan and the founding OIC member KSA will further cement unity and friendship between two traditional partners at political, economic and military to military levels.
— The writer, an independent ‘IR’ researcher-cum- analyst based in Pakistan, is member of European Consortium for Political Research Standing Group on IR, Critical Peace & Conflict Studies, also a member of European Society of International Law (ESIL).
Source: https://pakobserver.net/uplift-in-pak-saudi-ties-strategic-implications/
