AiBotIn a bid to push forward a possible US-Iran agreement, Islamabad is reportedly counting heavily on China’s support, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set to visit Beijing at a later stage, according to a source citing Al Arabiya.
Tensions in the Middle East have been escalating in recent weeks, with the prospect of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveling to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in a bid to shore up a fragile coalition of Arab states opposed to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Meanwhile, China appears poised to take on a more significant role in regional diplomacy, driven in part by growing concerns over its energy security. Pakistan’s government, which has long maintained close ties with Beijing, is reportedly pushing for increased Chinese involvement in efforts to ease tensions between the US and Iran.
According to Pakistani officials, Prime Minister Sharif is likely to meet with Chinese leaders in the near future, where a number of pressing issues, including security cooperation and economic investment, will be high on the agenda.
In a statement to Al Arabiya, a senior Pakistani government official noted that China has historically maintained a more diplomatic stance than the US in the region, and was therefore well-positioned to play a more constructive role in current negotiations.
“It’s a fact that China has a much more balanced and pragmatic approach… to international relations,” the official said. “China’s influence is crucial in stabilizing the Middle East, while its diplomatic efforts can greatly ease tensions in the region.”
However, not everyone is convinced by Islamabad’s apparent reliance on Beijing. Some experts have suggested that Pakistan’s increasing dependence on China may ultimately prove counterproductive, undermining its own interests in the long run.
“It’s one thing to seek Chinese support, but it’s quite another to rely on China to the point where you’re willing to compromise your own sovereignty,” said Dr. Ali Hassan, a regional expert at the Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad.
Dr. Hassan noted that while China’s economic muscle and diplomatic influence undoubtedly presented opportunities, they also risked creating a power imbalance that could be exploited to Pakistan’s detriment.
Ultimately, as the clock ticks down on current diplomatic efforts, Islamabad’s gamble on China’s support may yet prove a crucial factor in determining the region’s future trajectory. With Prime Minister Sharif set to meet with Chinese leaders in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Beijing for any signs of progress.