— A Pakistani analyst strongly believes that the Islamic Republic of Iran is moving ahead very wisely at the international arena and stresses that the Beijing-Tehran partnership is a shock to the US foreign policy.
Omar Shahkar in an article entitled China-Iran deal published in daily ‘Pakistani Observer’ said the world of international politics is experiencing tectonic shifts and China is proving to be the biggest threat to US hegemony.
“China is challenging the US in each and every block of the world,” he said.
The expert added, at last, China has also engaged itself in the Middle East politics by securing a 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran.
The investment will be in the sectors of energy, ports, railways, cybersecurity, transportation, and joint venture for weapon design and development. Secondly, a joint bank will also be established that will help the Iranian economy.
In return, China will receive heavily discounted Iranian oil and gas for the next 25 years. Now, this deal has far-reaching implications.
He said to start with, this 25 years partnership will have strategic and economic implications on New Delhi-Tehran relations. India has already agreed to invest millions of dollars in the port and railway infrastructure of Iran.
Omar Shahkar added secondly, Pakistan will be the third party that stands to gain the most from the strategic partnership.
Moreover, the deal would improve the relations between Tehran and Islamabad. Friendly relations will have more benefits.
The analyst went on t say Gawadar and Chabahr can be declared as sister ports and it will increase the trade influx.
Recently, an MoU was signed between the neighboring countries in April. According to the MoU signed, both sides agreed to establish ‘Border Markets’ along the border.
He noted these will not only enhance bilateral trade but it would also provide economic opportunities and sustenance to people residing in the border areas.
Omar Shahkar said in the first phase, three markets will be opened in the border points, and in the second phase of the plan, joint border bazaars will be established in three other border points later.
He said it is pertinent to mention that as per the agreement, six marketplaces are to be built on the border between Baluchistan and the Iranian province of Sistan-Balochistan.
The analyst in the article said the two countries are sorting out different ways, including a free trade agreement, to boost their trivial bilateral trade volume. In addition, China Pakistan Economic Corridor can witness a westward expansion.
This deal has the ability to facilitate trade among Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and China. In short, it’s a win-win situation for Pakistan.
Lastly, the US Iran ties are expected to experience the fallouts of this deal. Joe Biden agreed to return to JCPOA deal before the elections.
He said the P5+1 deal which was signed back in 2015 during the Obama Administration, lifted economic sanctions Iran has subjected to in return for a commitment to restrict its nuclear activities. Trump withdrew from the deal back in May 2018 and adopted a maximum pressure policy.
Iran is now demanding the lifting of sanctions before agreeing to a new deal. The Beijing-Tehran partnership is a shock to the US policy of adopting maximum pressure.
He viewed Iran is now in a very comfortable position and looking to get maximum concessions through smart diplomatic moves.
Omar Shahkar said in a nutshell, this strategic partnership is a blessing in disguise for multiple countries while some are in dire straits.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
