Military diplomacy between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
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Historically, military diplomacy has played a crucial role in determining the relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
For Pakistan, Saudi Arabia is a highly valuable strategic partner, with strong religious ties that serve as a strong bond and pillar of mutual strength. It is a major destination for the workforce that contributes significantly in building the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
The Pakistan and Saudi militaries cooperate in military training and conduct joint exercises. And as Pakistan’s Army Chief General Bajwa reiterated during a recent visit: “Pakistan is committed to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and defense of the two Holy Mosques.” This is a solid commitment that Pakistan takes pride in and has always honored.
Saudi Arabia has a large workforce from neighboring India that holds important positions in the banking sector, telecommunications and service industries. It is a major trade partner and one of its largest oil consumers.
But Pakistan has its own unique relationship with Saudi Arabia. Historical, religious, security and cultural bonds tie the two countries together. Saudi Arabia has navigated these relationships with great prudence and so has Pakistan.
What is also significant, is that the joint communique during the Prime Minister’s visit to KSA, included a call to India asking that it engage with Pakistan on Kashmir.
Talat Masood
Situated in the middle of a hostile and chaotic security and political environment, Pakistan’s foreign and security policies have to blend to face these challenges. For the Kingdom, the challenge is no less. There are major considerations that influence Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy determinants. Its relations with Iran, the insurgency in Yemen and the overall attitude of the West toward Muslim countries. Thankfully, some thaw in Saudi Arabia, Iran relations seem to be in the offing. If this is sustained, it will alter the dynamic of its relationship within Muslim countries in a more positive way.
Pakistan- Saudi Arabia trade recorded USD 1.7 bn in 2019. On the other hand, India-Saudi bilateral trade was close to USD 33 bn in 2019. In the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia context, it is the strong military, diplomatic and religious ties that bind Islamabad and the Kingdom. But for Pakistan to strengthen its strategic and economic ties, it should also focus on increasing bilateral trade and greater cooperation in the field of education and technology.
The outcome of the recent visit of PM Khan to Saudi Arabia is significant as both countries agreed to bolster strategic and economic ties.
There is now a better appreciation of the benefits of close cooperation in multiple fields of common interest. Firstly, Muslim countries are facing various pressures, external and internal. Their inherent weakness in education, health technology, industry, agriculture and medicine to name a few has made them heavily dependent on foreign assistance and support. Close cooperation and benefiting from each other’s strengths would certainly help Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Muslim countries, but a broader and deeper approach at accelerating the process of national development and placing it on a solid foundation will be necessary. Maximizing national strengths through individual and collective efforts is however, a well thought out coordinated effort which was lacking in the past.
The anticipated global shifts in the field of energy and the focus on location in geo-strategic terms reducing in importance in the future, are compelling factors that provide additional impetus for harmonizing national interests.
It is, however, very reassuring that the military’s efforts and Saudi Arabia’s leadership, goodwill and foresight has played a continuously important role at reaffirming mutual confidence between the two countries. What is also significant, is that the joint communique during the Prime Minister’s visit to KSA, included a call to India asking that it engage with Pakistan on Kashmir.
- Talat Masood is a retired Lieutenant General from Pakistan Army and an eminent scholar on national security and political issues.
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