Following its area strikes on Yemen, Saudi Arabia has called on a coalition of nine countries to participate in its military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen – Pakistan is among the countries considering the request of the Saudis, along with others such as Jordan, Morocco and Sudan. Sameer Patil, associate national security fellow at Gateway House, comments on the implications of Pakistan participating in the Saudi operation for India.
The complete article is available here.
Statement:
“Saudi Arabia’s area strikes against the Shiite Houthis in Yemen highlight the regional rivalries in the disturbed region of West Asia. Saudi Arabia has called on Pakistan to join the Arab nations in the campaign.
Should Pakistan be entrenched in protracted fighting in Yemen, it could divert the country’s resources and reduce its trouble-making role in Afghanistan and Jammu & Kashmir. It will give the PDP-BJP government in Jammu & Kashmir a chance to settle down.
However, a downside of the Saudi move is that oil prices are likely to increase which is not a welcome outcome for oil-importing countries like India.
Pakistan is dependent on energy and monetary support from Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spent a decade in exile in Jeddah and will likely respond affirmatively to Saudi Arabia’s request.”
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