Tensions between regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a new high this month when Riyadh and a number of its Sunni Arab allies cut diplomatic ties with Tehran.
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TEHRAN, Iran-Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Tuesday with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani for talks aimed at easing tensions between regional powers Iran and Saudi Arabia.
“Since China and Saudi Arabia forged diplomatic ties 26 years ago, our relationship has developed by leaps and bounds, with mutual political trust deepening continuously and rich results in cooperation in various fields”, Xi said in written remarks upon arrival.
He added, “Pakistan is proud to have taken up role of a mediator”.
When asked whether Saudi Arabia and Iran have any intention to sit together, the PM said Pakistan has proposed to present itself as a host for such an interaction. Iran has already built its end of a pipeline meant to carry gas to Pakistan, and the lifting of sanctions could help bring worldwide funding – possibly from China – for Pakistan to finish the job, she said.
Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Ming told reporters China was not taking sides.
The Iranian ambassador, however, condemned Saudi Arabia’s provocative measure by executing Sheikh Nimr.
According the ISPR, matters related to regional security were discussed during the meeting.
The prime minister said he considered reconciling Saudi Arabia and Iran a sacred duty.
Jubeir said Iran’s support for Shi’ite Muslim militias across the region was the main source of sectarian ill will, but acknowledged that this had produced what he described as “a counter reaction in the Sunni world”. Menace of terrorism can only be addressed through coordinated response.
It is the first state visit by a Chinese head of state to Saudi Arabia in seven years.
The Prime Minister recalled Pakistan’s consistent policy of promoting brotherhood among member states of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation.
The trip comes at a tricky time – Riyadh and Tehran severed diplomatic relations earlier this month over the storming of Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Iran after the kingdom executed a prominent Shiite Muslim cleric.
Amnesty International said the Saudi authorities had demonstrated “utter disregard” for human rights.
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The two countries signed a slew of cooperation deals after the talks between their leaders, covering sectors such as energy, communications, environment, culture, aerospace, science and technology. On the other hand, though, China isn’t the only country looking to capitalize on new access to Iran’s markets, meaning Beijing could lose a privileged position as European companies seek to enter the game.
