Material needs have once again brought together the temporarily estranged allies. PM Imran Khan was warmly received by Saudi crown prince MBS at the Jeddah airport from where he was taken to the reception at Royal Palace. That this was preceded by a four day long visit to SA by COAS Bajwa indicates the Saudi government’s prime concerns relate to defence and security matters.
The attack on the Aramco facilities during the fag end of President Trump’s tenure and the lack of any assuring action by the US sent a disarming message that the Gulf Arab coutries will have to fend for themselves in case of any aggression. The feeling of insecurity deepened after President Biden’s victory. This has led SA and UAE to improve relations with Qatar; MBS wants ‘good and special relations’ with Iran and has acknowledged that the Houthis were Yemenis and Arabs – not merely agents of Iran; Saudi intelligence chief has visited Syria for improvement of ties and Turkish Foreign Minister is due in SA after four years of alienation.
Pakistani troops were initially deployed in Saudi Arabia for the country’s defense against possible Israeli aggression. A protocol was signed in 1982 for military assistance in defence and security as well as for training of local troops. With American military cover no more considered reliable SA needs enhanced military support from Pakistan. As the Saudi Press Agency put it, both sides discussed bilateral military and defence cooperation and ways to enhance it during the meeting between MBS and COAS Bajwa.
Pakistan on the other hand needs to boost its growth to be able to create jobs. For this it needs foreign investments. Pakistan suffers from liquidity crunch. It wants more time to pay back loans obtained from the Gulf countries, and oil on deferred payment. To ensure the continuity and enhancement of remittances Pakistan wants more jobs for its professionals and labour in MBS’ Vision 2030 projects
Whether Pakistan can get a proper quid pro quo will depend on the quality of its diplomacy. What is needed is putting more stress on the material needs of the country and avoid stressing issues that are seen harmful by SA for its national interest. MoUs are not enough. What is required instead are binding agreements.
