Another view of Saudi-Russian Nuclear Deal
By Zaheerul Hassan
Recently held Russian-Saudi dialogues and signing of agreement over peaceful nuclear programme in St Petersburg on 18 June 2015 indicate that fresh associations of two states will likely to influence the future of Middle East and will bring regionally and globally the dynamic changes in geopolitics and security environment. The deal was stamped by Vladimir Putin and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman shake. At the occasion of signatory ceremony six agreements were concluded regarding transfer of nuclear technology.
Actually, the agreement set the history since it is the first time Russia and Saudi Arabia created a legal framework for cooperation between the nations in the field of nuclear energy. Likely, future joint ventures would be: construction of nuclear power reactors, provision of services in nuclear fuel cycling, including those for nuclear power stations and research reactor facilities.
On conference with Putin, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister, said that his father, King Salman, was inviting the Russian leader to visit the Gulf state.
“I have the honor to pass on an invitation to visit the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as we regard Russia as one of the important states in the contemporary world, and our relations have roots in the past,” Prince Mohammed said, adding that Russia had been the first country to officially recognize the Gulf kingdom. “We will aim to develop bilateral relations in all sectors,” he supplemented. Russian leader, Putin stated that he accepted the invitation. The quoted Saudi Crown Prince statement is precisely showing the glaring change in his county’s foreign policy and would be consider serious note of concern for United States, Israel India and Iran. Whereas, global and regional player like China and Pakistan have not shown any negative concern and welcome Saudi-Russian deal.
According to credible sources Pakistan has paid a pivotal role in bridging gap between Russia and Saudi rulers that ultimately helped in concluding the deal between Riyadh and Moscow. In this context, earlier to Saudi-Russian talks, Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Shreif has carried out 03 days visit of Russia and leveled the grounds with a view to ensure the successful end of the dialogues. He has been warmly welcome and presented an “elegant guard of honour” at a ceremony held at Kremlin on his arrival on 15 June 2015.
In fact, Russia-Saudi Nuclear Deal and Iran-P5+1 agreement over closing of controversial nuclear programme have promptly influenced global politics, security, economy and energy prices. Finalization of Iran and P5+1 agreement over closing of controversial nuclear programme forced Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to revisit their foreign policies and try to maintain balanced relationship with Washington, Moscow and New Delhi.
Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia probably decided to bridge the gap with the Russia while revisiting their foreign policy. Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and has already strong ties with China and improving her relationship with Russia. It has also become the first Asian country to achieve an Associate Member State of CERN as India’s request for membership is still pending.
Recently Pakistan has also been given the status of member in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). There are total eight countries enjoying the status of full members which are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekista, Pakistan and India. Now, it’s the right time for Saudi Arabia to weight her connections with west, US and SCO countries (particularly with China and Russia). In the absence of strong Iran, Syria sn Libya it is Saudi Arabia that can occupy leading chair in the region and can play a much more active and leading role in Middle East.
Saudi-Russian Nuclear Deal will also help her in lessening the dependability over U.S. Here, I would suggest Saudi Arabia Should aim of developing its own mechanism in oil exploring industry instead relying only on few countries Saudi Arabia should seek technical cooperation from Russia.
IInterestingly, as result of Russian-Nuclear Deal and agreement between Iran and P+1 over controversial nuclear programme, prices of oil and Gold prices starting declining in open market which will ultimately help the poor countries in stabilizing their economies. Both the deals (closing of Iranian nuclear programme and Russia-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement) will also assist in create peaceful security environment and resolving Taliban Issue too.
The author can be approached through zameer36@gmail.com
