Pakistan’s war diplomacy on Iran won’t improve its own prospects

It may relieve today’s crisis but will not stop the military-jihadi complex from tightening its grip

- NITIN PAI

Pakistan has stepped up to play a useful role in mediating between the United States and Iran in attempting to bring the latest West Asian war to an end. It should not surprise us that the Pakistani establishment, which has a culture of geopolitical risk-taking, has turned adversity into an opportunity.

Not only does the continuation of the war mean economic disaster, there is a real chance that Pakistani armed forces can be summoned to a war that they do not want to fight. Saudi Arabia has already invoked their mutual defence pact to station 13,000 troops and a squadron of combat aircraft on its soil.

If these forces are deployed in combat, Iran could decide to attack targets in Pakistan, as it has done across the Persian Gulf. That would add one more conflict to the two—with Afghanistan and India—that Pakistan is already engaged in.

It's a bad situation to be in, but Pakistan’s military and civilian leadership has invested serious political capital in meeting the challenge head on. As ironic as it is to see the Pakistani army attempt a regional peace initiative, we should hope it succeeds.

A quick end to this war is categorically in India’s interests. We need not be churlish in giving credit where it is due and appreciating the current Pakistani diplomatic endeavour.