The Saudi-Iran Rapprochement

In rather a surprise move, the hitherto arch rivals of the middle east—Saudi Arabia and Iran—have come closer, inking a deal of restoring long stalled diplomatic ties. The largest producers of oil and ideologically rival countries have long fought proxy wars against each other in the middle and south Asia for too long. The recent rapprochement is a result of Chinese diplomacy that has brought closer both the countries for good. The representatives of both the countries have also agreed to restore an agreements inked in 2001 for cooperation on multiple fronts for improving of trade ties.
Before the announcement of the deal, the unannounced talks reportedly took place in several rounds of talks in Iraq, and Oman in an effort to ease tension between both the powerhouses of the region. Both the countries have agreed to reopen embassies and diplomatic missions within two months.
Saudia Arabia severed ties with Iran after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi Diplomatic mission in 2016 following the Saudi execution of a revered Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Agreement was signed by Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani and Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammad Al Aiban who agreed to re-activate a 2001 security cooperation accord, as well as another earlier pact on trade, economy and investment.
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi described the deal as a victory for dialogue and peace and added that Beijing would continue to play a constructive role in addressing tough global issues.
A White House national security spokesperson said Saudi Arabia, which is looking to expand its partnership with China, had kept the United States informed about the talks in Beijing but that Washington had not been directly involved.
The détente between two hitherto arch-rivals may have many implications for the world and regional politics right from Syria, Iraq, to Lebanon, it would definitely leave many positive impacts on the internal politics of Pakistan which has been a theatre of sectarian violence and hatred for the past two decades and allegedly these sectarian groups, which were bleeding not only themselves but entire Pakistan, were supported, trained and equipped by either country for gaining their strategic depth in Pakistan. More specifically, Balochistan has been a hotbed of sectarian violence for the last two decades and hundreds and thousands of people have lost their lives in this war. Target killings, bomb blasts, suicide attacks and much more were norms of the day that were claimed by either sectarian groups and carried out against the other.
After both the countries have come closer, they should dismantle all the organizations which are allegedly working under their direct or indirect support and should support this country with investing in science, technology, health and education. By promoting peace in Pakistan, both the countries can gain great chances of investment and hence generating revenue and creating jobs. It is therefore hoped that the rapprochement would usher a new era of development, peace and tolerance in the region.