The recent rise in tensions following a terror attack has prompted Gulf nations to take diplomatic action.
Gulf States Take Initiative Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions
Gulf States Take Initiative Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions
Saudi Arabia and UAE step in to mediate as conflicts escalate between India and Pakistan.
As India and Pakistan find themselves embroiled in escalating hostilities, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are stepping forward to mediate amidst the turmoil. The flashpoint ignited on April 22, when India accused Pakistan of orchestrating a terrorist attack in Kashmir, a region both nations claim. In retaliation, India launched airstrikes on April 25 targeting locations in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
With the United States remaining disengaged, Gulf nations are attempting to bring both parties to the negotiating table. On May 8, Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s minister of state for foreign affairs, engaged in discussions with officials in New Delhi and Islamabad, signaling Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the peace process. Pakistan has also been in regular communication with the ambassadors from multiple Gulf states, including the UAE and Kuwait.
Additionally, Iran's foreign minister has made recent visits to both countries, highlighting the broader area's dynamics where regional powers seek to exert influence. The Gulf states have vested interests in India and Pakistan, largely due to historical ties: India boasts a significant expatriate community in the Gulf and robust energy relations, while Pakistan has been a long-time security ally, particularly for Saudi Arabia since the 1960s.
In past conflicts, Saudi Arabia and the UAE successfully mediated tensions. For instance, they were instrumental in cooling hostilities after a similar spike in 2019, when the UAE's foreign minister conducted high-profile visits to both nations shortly after India’s military actions. The UAE also hosted discreet discussions that led to a renewed commitment to a cease-fire along the Line of Control, the border dividing Kashmir.
Experts suggest that the Gulf states' push for mediation is motivated not only by the quest for regional prestige but also by the need to safeguard their own security and economic interests. As such, Saudi Arabia and the UAE's involvement might play a critical role in shaping the future peace prospects in the contentious relationship between India and Pakistan.
