Pakistan's Strategic Calculus: Navigating the Iran-Saudi Rivalry

Abstract

This research article investigates Pakistan's intricate foreign policy calculus in balancing its relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia amidst their protracted rivalry. The study employs a qualitative approach, drawing upon an extensive review of scholarly literature and policy analyses to understand the historical evolution of the Iran-Saudi conflict, the multifaceted dimensions of Pakistan's bilateral ties with each nation, and the resultant domestic and regional implications. The findings reveal that Pakistan's foreign policy is characterized by a pragmatic "neutrality-cum-balancing" strategy, a strategic imperative driven by geopolitical compulsions, economic dependencies, and internal sectarian vulnerabilities. While this adaptive approach has enabled Pakistan to maintain crucial bilateral ties and contribute to regional de-escalation efforts, it faces escalating challenges from external ideological influences and the complexities of global power dynamics. The article concludes that sustaining this delicate equilibrium necessitates a continuous recalibration of Pakistan's diplomatic and economic strategies to safeguard its national interests and foster regional stability.

Keywords: Pakistan Foreign Policy, Iran-Saudi Rivalry, Regional Stability, Sectarian Dynamics, Strategic Balancing Middle East Geopolitics