Chairman Pakistan China Institute, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed believes that Iran-China agreement is good for the region and positive for Pakistan’s interests as it strengthens regional economic connectivity of which Pakistan is the hub, thanks to CPEC and the Belt & Road Initiative.
Mushahid Hussain Syed also said that with the Chinese role in Iran, and both good friends of Pakistan, Pakistan’s Western flank is secured, helping stability in Baluchistan and strengthening the role of Gwadar Port in promoting regional connectivity with China, Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asian Republics.
“Regrettably, after just one phone call from the United States, India reneged on the IPI (Iran-Pakistan-India) Pipeline and opted instead for a nuclear deal with the US, while Pakistan stuck to the gas pipeline agreement with Iran.
Regionalism will promote peace in Afghanistan and lessen tensions in this strategic region. Pakistan, China, and Iran are all committed to peace in Afghanistan,” commented Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed.
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Furthermore, Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, the founding Executive Director of the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) said that the deal between China and Iran has (had) wider implications ranging from economic perspectives and part of a process of bilateral relations between China and Iran including earlier deals of supply of oil.
According to the leaked draft, the agreement includes Chinese investment worth over US$280 billion in the oil and gas sector of Iran. And the revival of the New Silk Road.
Ambassador Naqvi stated that the economic relation between China and Iran are (were) taking shape in a big way and has (had) political consequences in the region and would impact of Afghanistan situation also.
While commenting on the regional perspective of the deal, Ambassador Naqvi was of the view that the deal would be supportive to resolve the Afghanistan issue where China is trying along with Russia and Pakistan for a Peace Deal between the Taliban and Kabul.
He was confident that the China Iran deal will not affect time-tested China Pakistan relations rather this deal would help Iran Pakistan in a diplomatic as well as in an economic way.
About Pakistan China Institute
Launched on 1st October 2009, under the Chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain, Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) is the first of its kind non-governmental, non-partisan and non-political think-tank.
Pakistan-China Institute aims to take up a leading role in generating discussions and analysis on multiple aspects of the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, as well as the entire region.
In the Asian Century, the need for a platform that fosters people-to-people contact in the region is crucial. An integral part of PCI’s mission is to serve as a resource to all those who seek a better understanding of the changing dynamics of regional relations, particularly in relation to Pakistan and China.
