Friday, 29 March 2024, 11:34:15 am

Analysts hail firm commitment of Saudi Arabia to deepen and diversify bilateral relations with Pakistan
May 08, 2021

Dr. Huma Baqai (IR Expert): Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Saudi Arabia holds special significance in bilateral relations and regional context. This visit will further improve bilateral ties between Islamabad and Riyadh. Optics seem encouraging but rules of engagement have changed between the two countries. Both countries have deep rooted relationship. Pakistan will gain economic benefits as well as enhanced defence and security cooperation from this visit. In the last few months, Saudi Arabia has tried to improve relations with Qatar, Turkey and even Iran. The new administration in the US has refused to further back Saudi military campaign in Yemen. And Saudi Arabia is trying to improve situation in the region by resetting its relations with regional countries. Saudi leadership has realized the fact that US will limit its role in the region in future. Pakistan is in a better footing and will gain from strengthening of ties with Riyadh. As far as CPEC is concerned, increasing interest of Saudi Arabia in the project is visible. 

Dr. Maria Sultan (IR Expert): The seizure of Uranium in India requires unified response of the world as it is a very serious issue. India is signatory to major international conventions relating to nuclear safety. There are treaty obligations under which New Delhi must take care of all nuclear material on its land. The UN Security Council take up this issue as it is a case of major transgression of nuclear safety mechanism. Unfortunately, there does not seem much change in international community's response towards India's application for inclusion into Nuclear Suppliers Group. Pakistan should highlight this issue strongly at the international front and expose India's weak safety record regarding nuclear material.

Brig. (Retd.) Haris Nawaz (Defence Analyst): The visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia holds great significance in contemporary geo-strategic and geo-political dynamics of the region. The crown prince of Saudi Arabia extended a welcome to Prime Minister Imran Khan in an unprecedented manner. The two brotherly nations are planning to engage in economic and strategic cooperation in diverse fields. Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia can make a strong Islamic block in the region. Saudi Arabia can play an important role in resolving the issue of Kashmir. It is diplomatic victory of Pakistan that KSA has shown its willingness to improve ties with Iran. The PM’s visit to KSA would strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Shaheen Akhtar (IR Expert): Pakistan is a strategic partner of Saudi Arabia. The recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan is very important as far as economy, regional security and political scenario of the region is concerned. A large number of Pakistani expatriates working in Saudi Arabia are key source of remittances for Pakistan. The high-level consultations between two brotherly states would create new opportunities for both the countries.