Kabul/Riyadh. Shortly after the trilateral defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, a decision of Saudi Arabia has sparked a new discussion in regional politics. Riyadh has signed a major agreement related to the energy sector in Afghanistan. This is being considered a blow to Pakistan's strategy, under which it has been trying to keep the Taliban government isolated at the regional level.
Last month, on August 7, a trilateral defense agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in Mecca. It was given names like 'Makkah Pact' and 'Islamic NATO'. Under the agreement, an attack on any one member country was to be considered an attack on all three countries. This provision is similar to Article 5 of NATO.
However, now Saudi Arabia's direct economic cooperation with Afghanistan is raising questions about the political impact of this agreement.
Saudi company's 25-year deal in Afghanistan
On September 7, the Taliban-led Afghan administration signed an important agreement with Saudi energy company Delta International. Under this, oil and gas will be explored in the Western Kushak-Tirpul Basin. The region includes parts of Herat and Badghis provinces.
This agreement has been made for 25 years and its initial price is said to be around $200 million. According to the report, this is being seen as the beginning of big energy investments in the future. The potential investment has also been estimated to reach several billion dollars.
Why did Pakistan get the shock?
Pakistan has long considered its influence on Afghanistan important. Pakistan's relations with the Taliban government have also seen tension in recent times. In such a situation, Saudi Arabia's direct investment in Afghanistan is being seen as a strategic challenge for Islamabad.
This move by Riyadh indicates that it is ready to take independent decisions in regional matters based on its economic and strategic interests. This may also affect Pakistan's traditional influence in Afghanistan.
Presence of American diplomat in the agreement
This deal is also considered geopolitically important because Zalmay Khalilzad, former US ambassador to Afghanistan and who played an important role in the 2020 Doha Agreement, was also present during the agreement.
After the agreement, Khalilzad described it as a sign of Afghanistan's opening to international trade and investment. Their presence gave this agreement not only an economic but also a broader regional context.
Why is this development important for Pakistan?
Saudi Arabia has already announced big investment plans in Pakistan. There was discussion about an investment of about 20 billion dollars, but the situation was not clear regarding its implementation. On the contrary, Riyadh has now signed a concrete energy deal in Afghanistan.
This difference can become a matter of concern for Pakistan. This move sends a message that Saudi Arabia is giving priority to its economic interests rather than deciding its foreign and investment policy in line with Pakistan's regional interests.
Questions raised on 'Islamic NATO'
After the Mecca Defense Agreement, it was introduced as the beginning of a new security framework among Muslim countries. But questions are also being raised on Pakistan's role amid regional tensions over Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Yemen.
In such a situation, Saudi Arabia's direct investment in Afghanistan is being seen as a test of how much comprehensive strategic unity the Mecca Agreement can actually achieve among the member countries.
At present, it is too early to say that any major differences have started between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. But Riyadh's new energy deal in Afghanistan has definitely intensified the debate on the changing equations of South Asia and West Asia.