Pakistan Risking Ties with Saudi Arabia over its Kashmir Obsession

Since its existence, Pakistan has been consumed by Kashmir. Kashmir issue has been integral component of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Over the past seven decades, Pakistan waged three wars with India and raised the issue at numerous international forums to garner diplomatic support. Even the much touted all weather friendship with China is laid on the foundation of Kashmir issue and anti-India agenda. Despite its obsession with Kashmir, Pakistan never had any concrete frame work or vision for its future. This lack of clarity became more obvious after India revoked special constitutional status for Jammu and Kashmir last year. A year since the abrogation of article 370, after having divided J&K into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Indian government steered this region towards development. By granting domicile status to the rightful residents of the region, restoring the affirmative action which deprived the needy of the special privileges, inaugurating infrastructure development projects, strengthening the deradicalization and integration programs, Indian government displayed tremendous appetite to resurrect the valley infested by the anti-national elements. While there are conflicting opinions about the progress, the commitment and conviction of Indian government to revive and rejuvenate the region has been commendable. On the contrary, Pakistan continued to infiltrate terrorists and tried every trick in the book to disrupt peace and harmony of the region.

With revocation of article 370, India has not only removed oxygen out of Pakistan’s foreign policy, but stifled the aspirations of Imran Khan’s government whose single point agenda has been Kashmir. After the annulment of article 370, Khan self-appointed himself as the ambassador of Kashmir and rallied for international support. Barring China, which managed to arrange for an informal discussion on Kashmir, no country formally lent support to Pakistan. Thronging to OIC, Pakistan sought for an anti-India resolution in the aftermath of termination of special status to Kashmir. Major Islamic countries, steered clear of the issue. At the UNGA session, Malaysia, Turkey, China raised the Kashmir issue. But this failed to create enough ripples in the diplomatic circles. Pakistan’s efforts to raise the issue at international forums was met with indifference and indignation.

On the contrary, India tellingly, prioritised Kashmir’s development and its economic and social integration with rest of the country. Commemorating the first anniversary, while the Gujjars, Bakarwals and others in Kashmir celebrated two-day Bangus Awam Mela, inaugurated by Rashtriya Rifles and followed by free medical camp, veterinary camp and village games, Pakistan designated August 5^th as Youm-e-Istehsal (day of exploitation) and planned nefarious activities. To draw international attention, Pakistan organised solidarity marches in provincial capitals, organised photo exhibitions and seminars, presented memorandum to UN Observer Mission, changed the name of Kashmir Highway to Srinagar highway and reflecting his ‘political absurdity’ Khan unveiled a new political map of Pakistan comprising of two UT’s of J&K, Ladakh, Junagarh and Sir Creek of Gujarat.

Notwithstanding the ostentatious political aggrandisement and sinking international credibility, Pakistan’s foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi kicked up a diplomatic storm by slamming Saudi Arabia over Kashmir in a TV interview. Qureshi threatened Saudi, “If you cannot convene the meeting of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) on Kashmir, then I’ll be compelled to ask Prime Minister Imran Khan to call a meeting of the Islamic countries that are ready to stand with us on the issue of Kashmir and support the oppressed Kashmiris”. By indirectly hinting at splitting the OIC, Qureshi riled Saudi Arabia. Enraged by Qureshi’s condescending remarks, Saudi demanded Pakistan to cough up $1 billion, part of $6.2 billion package comprising of $3billion loan and $3.2 billion worth oil on deferred payments pledged by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) during his Pakistan visit in 2018.  Pakistan borrowed $1 billion from China and claimed to have made an economic favour to Saudi during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Back in 2018, a cash-starved Pakistan displayed its highest loyalties and Khan chauffeured MBS from airport to demonstrate his priorities. An enamoured MBS pledged $6.2 billion package and $20 billion investments in Pakistan. But Pakistan’s dubious game plan of cozying up to Turkey, hell-bent on clinching the reigns of Muslim World from Saudi and Khan’s announcement of starting a television channel with Malaysia and Turkey along the sidelines of UNGA to counter Islamophobia has angered Saudi which forced Khan to backout from the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Summit at the eleventh hour. Khan’s penchant for the Turkish approval, identity and the strategic reinforcement of Pakistan’s paramountcy in the five-country alliance (Pakistan-China-Iran-Turkey-Russia) to counter the India-Israel-US and its advocacy of Pan-Islamism as panacea for global ummah had created new rifts in the Pakistan-Saudi relationship. Pakistan’s growing closeness to Turkey and its new found aspirations to be part of the Neo-Ottoman Empire conceived by President Erdogan has sowed the seeds of suspicions.

UAE and Saudi which are slowly rejecting the Muslim brotherhood have grown wary of Pakistan’s aspirations. Indeed, UAE which has pledged $6.2 billion package has later downsized the financial assistance.

For decades Pakistan has been dependent on Saudi Arabia for financial assistance, economic bail outs and remittances from millions of Pakistani working in Saudi has provided much needed economic cushion. Indeed, last year Khan hired private jet of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) to attend UNGA session at New York. In fact, Saudi is also reported to have Pakistan’s nuclear mission.  Saudi commands immense influence in Pakistani society through the Islamic clerics who propagate the Wahhabi Islamism. Ties between the two countries are deeply intertwined with Pakistani security forces playing a lead role in training Saudi armed forces and offering security to the Royal family. In 2015, during the Yemen war, Pakistan refused to send its troops but allowed former Army chief Raheel Sharif to head the counter-terrorism coalition. While Pakistan has been traditionally close to Saudi, Khan’s unprecedented outreach to Turkey has now dented the relationship. But Pakistan’s infamy of changing colours and shifting allegiances has also alerted Arab World of its foul play. For long, Pakistan exploited mileage in the Islamic world due to its close cultural and religious ties with Saudi.

Notwithstanding Qureshi’s blunt remarks, Pakistan foreign office defended his criticism, for it reflected the “public aspirations and expectations” widening the rift. Cognizant of Saudi’s centrality to Pakistan’s foreign policy, Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa and head ISI Gen Faiz Hameed rushed to Riyadh to undo the damage done by Qureshi. But Bajwa failed to secure a meeting with MBS, instead he met Saudi’s Deputy Defence Minister and military chief of staff. MBS is known for his hospitality and a royal snub is hence a reflection of Saudi’s displeasure. As per IANS, a snubbed Bajwa is reportedly reaching out to the rivals of MBS in the Royal family through diplomatic channels ².

In the meanwhile, Prime Minister Khan brushing aside the reports of rift with Saudi Arabia added that, “Pakistan’s future is connected with China” which has stood by it in good and bad times and dispatched Foreign Minister to China on a two-day trip³. By sending emissaries to Saudi and China, Chinese strategic experts contend that Pakistan intends to sends signal to diversify foreign ties just like Saudi. Contrary to the postulations of Pakistan watchers, thus far, Pakistan has allied with countries which served as cash-cows, advanced its anti-India agenda and bestowed significant recognition as an important regional player.

Amid the fluctuating oil prices, Saudi economy is currently weakening. With the policy of Arabisation in place, Riyadh may soon cease to be an employment destination for unskilled Pakistani workers. With MBS internally struggling with many challenges, domestic, financial and external, the mantle of protector of Islamic World seems to be slipping away from Saudi. Pakistan’s ambitions of cobbling significant clout among Muslim ummah can’t be realised by aligning with. Besides, Saudi which is now the fourth largest trading partner of India is more favourable disposed towards New Delhi, which offers better returns of investments and opportunities as compared to Pakistan’s collapsing economy and shrinking markets.

With the threat of Iran looming large in the region, Saudi has dispensed off with its reluctance to alienate Israel. With new alliances taking shape in the Middle East, Saudi is no longer inclined to look towards Pakistan for security. According highest priority to diversification of economy, Saudi has put Islamization project on backburner. Hence, Pakistan which relentlessly invokes Islamic ideology to pursue its strategic goals is levitating towards new Islamic zealot, Erdogan. If reports are to be believed Pakistan’s Nayadaur news agency reported that Saudi has prevailed upon Pakistan to severe ties with China and isolate it amid the escalating Indo-Chinese tensions ⁴. Also, Riyadh asked Islamabad not to cooperate with China with its $400 billion investments in Iran. While Pakistan Foreign Ministry has debunked this news report, Saudi is not certainly happy with the evolving China-Iran tangle under the ruse of BRI in the region.

Exasperated by Pakistan’s implausible jingoistic rhetoric for the past seven decades and its burgeoning reputation as mothership of terror, nations started rebuffing Islamabad’s stance on Kashmir. But a heady Pakistan stubbornly refuse to take a reality check. Instead of a pragmatic approach towards Kashmir, Islamabad which pursues a grand strategy of capitalising on its strategic location, continues to advance a virulent anti-India agenda. With Arab countries refusing to lend credence to Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, Pakistan is looking for new partners. In the wake of rising Sino-US animosities and deepening India-US strategic partnership, more than ever, Pakistan is now throwing its weight behind the Chinese-led alliance to encircle and encumber India. Driven by its anti-India agenda and Pakistani obsession, Pakistan is risking its ties with Arab allies which ruled constitutional legislation on Kashmir as an internal affair of India.

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