Engaging Iran
There could be a lot more to bilateral ties with Iran than just the gas pipeline project
Pakistan must start focusing on its southwestern neighbour immediately instead of waiting for economic sanctions on Iran to be lifted next year. PHOTO: AFP
In recent times, there has been plenty of evidence to suggest that the world, in times to come, is going to be defined by the activities of regional blocs or countries acting together in a number of diverse fields in order to fulfill their mutual interests. The pace of regional integration has witnessed an uptick. We recently saw the formation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, while The New Development Bank operated by the BRICS countries, provides another instance of emerging national economies coming together to demonstrate their financial health. Pakistan, too, has been in the mix of things as far as some of these new developments go. However, we need to realise that given Pakistan’s geographic and economic potential, there is more to regional integration than just focusing on promoting ties with China or Afghanistan.
Given recent developments vis-a-vis the Iran nuclear deal, the diplomatic lethargy displayed by Pakistan comes as a surprise. While Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met his counterparts from Russia, China, Afghanistan and India on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit recently, the one meeting that did not take place and should have, was with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Pakistan must start focusing on its southwestern neighbour immediately instead of waiting for economic sanctions on Iran to be lifted next year. Groundwork for improving economic ties, especially when it comes to meeting our energy needs, must start right away before Pakistan is left behind in the race to invest in that country. While taking lessons from history and exercising required diplomatic caution, Pakistan could take the logical route to developing ties with Iran in the wake of the sanction-lift and explore opportunities for investment and exploration of natural resources. We should go beyond the gas pipeline project and develop other meaningful and profitable business ventures. But that would only happen if Pakistan rids itself of diplomatic lethargy, and approaches Iran in a positive manner to work for mutual benefit. If certain quarters in the country hold that there is only limited scope for a mutually beneficial relationship with Iran, then they are sadly mistaken. There could be a lot more to bilateral ties with Iran than just the gas pipeline project.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2015.
Given recent developments vis-a-vis the Iran nuclear deal, the diplomatic lethargy displayed by Pakistan comes as a surprise. While Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met his counterparts from Russia, China, Afghanistan and India on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit recently, the one meeting that did not take place and should have, was with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Pakistan must start focusing on its southwestern neighbour immediately instead of waiting for economic sanctions on Iran to be lifted next year. Groundwork for improving economic ties, especially when it comes to meeting our energy needs, must start right away before Pakistan is left behind in the race to invest in that country. While taking lessons from history and exercising required diplomatic caution, Pakistan could take the logical route to developing ties with Iran in the wake of the sanction-lift and explore opportunities for investment and exploration of natural resources. We should go beyond the gas pipeline project and develop other meaningful and profitable business ventures. But that would only happen if Pakistan rids itself of diplomatic lethargy, and approaches Iran in a positive manner to work for mutual benefit. If certain quarters in the country hold that there is only limited scope for a mutually beneficial relationship with Iran, then they are sadly mistaken. There could be a lot more to bilateral ties with Iran than just the gas pipeline project.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2015.