Peace through Participation |
Pakistan just made history by smartly bringing the two belligerent states, the United States and Iran, to the negotiating table in Islamabad recently. Earlier, Pakistan also played an instrumental role in securing a two-week ceasefire between the two countries. The entire world is obviously applauding Pakistan’s earnest endeavours in shifting both adversaries from a state of combat to one of dialogue. Noticeably, Pakistan has emerged as a crucial peacemaker, mediator, and regional stabiliser out of the US–Iran standoff. It is, therefore, now predictable that Pakistan would play a permanent role as a potent and pivotal middle power in the region.
Though the Islamabad peace talks did not result in any instant agreement between Washington and Tehran, they can by no means be reckoned as a diplomatic failure or a non-starter. To begin with, this peace process has made both sides seek some pacific means for the settlement of their bilateral disputes rather than continuing to resort to coercive measures. Secondly, it has helped shortlist the long list of demands and proposals initially put forth by both parties, largely meant as bargaining chips. Consequently, the divergent US demands appear to have converged on the so-called Iran nuclear programme. On the other hand, the Iranians look more interested in securing some economic concessions through easing the rigorous sanctions regime long imposed on them by........