Avoiding Zero-Sum between Iran and Saudi Arabia: Pragmatism in Pakistan's Gulf Policy

Foreign policy formulation and management is quite sensitive. No country can either desire or afford to remain isolated internationally. Furthermore, a state is always concerned with its security and survival and cannot afford to sacrifice national interests. As a member of the international community, states, apart from ensuring their national interests are also expected to play their due role for international peace and stability. Pakistan has always followed a pragmatic foreign policy and demonstrated exceptional skills in balancing her relations with major powers and regional players. Pakistan has also maintained a finely balanced policy towards Middle East and Gulf. The crises in Yemen, transformation in the Middle East and transitional balance of power demand a reevaluation of our foreign policy which avoids a zerosum game between Iran and Saudi Arabia so that Pakistan can also remain relevant to the regional and international players.