Walking on Tight Rope: Saudi Factor in Pakistan-Iran Relations (Research Paper Sample)

Section 8. Political science https://doi.org/10.29013/EJHSS-20-6-102-108 Aftab Hussain, Department of World History, East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai, P.R.C. E-mail: aftabhussein@hotmail.com WALKING ON TIGHT ROPE: SAUDI FACTOR IN PAKISTAN-IRAN RELATIONS Abstract. Pakistan’s relations with Iran have deteriorated overtime. Among other factors Saudi Arabia’s influence over Pakistan, the rise of anti-Shi’ism, Saudi involvement in the Afghanistan since 1979 have played their role in deteriorating Islamabad’s ties with Tehran. The paper presents an analysis of the Saudi factor in Pakistan’s foreign policy towards Iran. Keywords: Foreign policy, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Conflict, Afghanistan, Cold War. Introduction Pakistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia are three important countries of the Islamic world. Each has its own distinction. Pakistan is the only Islamic nuclear weapon state; Saudi Arabia is custodian of holy places of Islam, Makkah and Medina; while Iran considers itself the heir to Persian civilization and is an important player of the Middle Eastern politics. Coupled with that Iran and Saudi Arabia are the leaders of the two rival sects of the Islamic world. Iran is seen as a religious center for Shi’a population of Muslim countries; while Saudi Arabia exercises its influence on the Sunni population of the Islamic countries. Majority of Pakistan’s population follows Sunni version of Islam, but the country has a considerable Shi’s population as well [1]. In the middle of the differences of Iran and Saud Arabia, Pakistan has to maintain good relations with both countries as one is its immediate neighbor, Iran; and the other is a religious and ideological center, Saudi Arabia. The tug of war for influence in oil market and in the Islamic world between Iran and Saudi Arabia often puts Pakistan in a tight corner and has its impact on the foreign policy of Pakistan. This poses serious challenges ...