Pakistan and Iran grow closer economically and define Afghan strategy
10 September 2011.
Pakistan and Iran grow closer. Image via Wikipedia
Regional diplomacy reigns supreme in Pakistan. Tehran and Islamabd have increased their bilateral ties, and are improving their economic cohesion. The SCO and the Dushambe-4 are the new playgrounds for the Pakistan leadership. After tremendously successful trips to China,Tajiksitan, Khazakstan, Saudi Arabia, enriching negotiations with Russia, and after meaningful discussions with the Iranian Prime Minister Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani will leave for Tehran on Sunday for three-day visit for talks with the Iranian leadership on further strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional issues. The areas that have been brought into the discussion include:
1.Expansion of the FTA and Free Trade items.
2.Opening of a new border transit area.
3.Completion fo the Iran Pakistan pipeline and possibly extending it to China.
4.Execution of the Islamabad-Istanbul train line via Tehran.
5.Bringing peace between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
6.Exponential increase in trade between Iran and Pakistan.
7.Purchase of electricity from Iran.
8.Cooperation on eliminating Junduallh and the TTP.
9.Update on Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) expansion.
10.Further developments in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which includes all the former Turkish emirates which became part of the USSR, Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan.
The Prime Minister will visit Tehran, Gilan and Mushhid during this three day visit. The Prime Minister will also discuss strengthening of transportation and communication links, cooperation in energy, economic and trade fields and preferential tariff arrangements.
Of course the leadership have been focusing on Afghanistan. There seems to be consensus on the Post-American Afghan landscape with Iran supporting Pakistan’s position of brining back the Talibs into a coalition government in Kabul, securing Iranian interests in Herat, and ensuring security for all the Pakhtuns in Afghanistan. The Iran-Pakistani position is acceptable to Turkey and Mr. Karzai. This program has been endorsed by all the immediate neighbors of Afghanistan and will be taken to Bonn for approval by all the major powers in the world.
It is the most natural friendship as Iran has a natural border with Pakistan. Pakistan has a great Persian past, Urdu is influenced by many Persian words and grammar. It is in both countries interest to work together and even more so if it brings Saudi Arabia and Iran closer. Iran is suspicious of Saudi because of America and the Sunni Shi’a schism. It is important that this divide is closed, sure Sunni like many Shi’a will completely disapprove of each others beliefs and practice but this should not become a hinderance to peace and reconciliation between Iran and the Sunni world and visa vi. There is much to learn from the Iranians who successfully broke away from American and European intervention into their nations economic and political affairs. Iranians have successfully remained in control of their destiny, their nation and regardless of what the West says have created a rich, progressive and modern society more so than the rest of the Arab world ruled by pro American dictators.
Iran has a rich history, they are a great civilisation, a great past that one cannot deny. They will continue to influence geopolitics of this region and the wider world. We share so much with Iran and not only us but the whole of Asia and The Middle East. Why must we mistrust each other, we should celebrate our common history, geography, language, culture, religion. I am often at odd with Sunni countries mistrust for Shi’a countries over simplistic matters yet they embrace with open arms the greater threat from America and Co.
Sunni and Shi’a can agree to disagree and must find the common ground, their is much to celebrate that can bring both closer together. Let us remove the colonial divides forever. It is in both Iran and Saudi interest to work with each other and be open and transparent to one another.
A strong Khorasan cannot exist without Turkiye, Iran and Saudi on the same page working together to unite the modern istan nations that once made up Khorasan. Istanbul linked to Baghdad, Jeddah and the rest of Hijaz likewise Tehran linking Kabul, Karachi, Islamabad, Astana and the rest of Central Asia was the vision The Ottomans had. This very dream and vision was destroyed by British terrorists who sabotaged the integration of the Muslim world via road and rail links rivalling the integration of Europe as it was then. Unlike the Zionist Media demonising and creating a bi-polar world, I understand terrorist was a strong word for the British because they did what they had to do to safeguard their interest and monopolised on the destruction of the Muslim world. Today Euroep and America is falling in disarray as the Ottomans were of yesteryear. I am not advocating destroying European infrastructure, no not at all but we should seize this opportunity and integrate the the Muslim world, build strong economies, trading blocks, joint defence groupings to limit American and NATO influence but also to integrate with those nations who have a genuine interest in a integrated rich, vibrant Middle East and Asia like China and Russia.
We must also look to restore the place and position of North Africa and the lower nile Sudan down to the Horn of Africa. America realises this hence has divided Sudan, deprived Somalia, restored their influence in Egypt and are destroying Libya. They have tried inciting similar unrest in Yemen and Hijaz /UAE by dividing Iran from the rest of The Muslim world. They have previously tried creating an uprising in Iran and Pakistan and failed. Their occupation of Iraq was a failure on the basis of long term strategic gains and Afghanistan is a quagmire they seek to run away from. A strong, rich China not by choice but to maintain its strategic influence and position is honourably filling the vaccum that will be left when American interest/influence diminishes. In SE Asia India and the pro American grouping of Japan, Austrlaia are also fighting to maintain American interests in this region.
The world is changing and it is imperative that we stop mistrusting Iran. Pakistan has nothing to fear from Iran but much to celebrate due to our past, langugae, culture, geography. It is important Saudi, Iran, Turkiye and Pakistan can work together and for a common goal. This will be a common strategic interst that today Russia seeks as does China bringing together Asia and The Middle East which will bring together The Maghrib, Yemen and Horn of Africa.
Seize the opportunity nations of Africa, nations of Middle East and Asia – these are tectonic shifts in economic and geopolitical interests. Agree on common goals and come together.
Many economists have predicted a rise of a new Ottoman Empire referring to a huge Islamic economic trading block, a Strong Russia and China working together. Such a scenario is prosperous for not only Muslims but Russians and The Chinese, a better position than where we are today. This will cement China’s rise and bring prosperity to Russia and much needed stability to the Islamic World.
