Can China - the close partner of Pakistan-Iran help cooling the tensions

China is a close partner of both nations, who enjoy extensive military and economic ties with Beijing and play important roles in its geopolitical ambitions

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Sonia Dham
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Amid rising tensions between the two countries traded deadly air strikes on militant targets on each other's territory, Beijing has proposed that it was willing to mediate tensions between Pakistan and Iran.

According to the sources, China is a close partner of both nations, who enjoy extensive military and economic ties with Beijing and play important roles in its geopolitical ambitions and it is anticipated that it can play an important role in cooling down the tensions.

Here are some of the ways that may help easing the situation:

Leveraging its clout:

According to the experts, China could offer its services as a neutral mediator, leveraging its close relationships with both countries to facilitate dialogue and compromise. This could involve hosting talks, encouraging direct communication between Islamabad and Tehran, and helping them find common ground on key issues.

Economic leverage: 

Both Pakistan and Iran are economically reliant on China to some extent. China could use its trade and investment ties to incentivize cooperation and discourage escalation. This could involve offering economic benefits in exchange for de-escalation or withholding investments if tensions rise.

Political backing:

China could publicly endorse peaceful conflict resolution and call for both nations to prioritize regional stability. This could involve issuing statements, participating in international forums, and working with other regional powers to de-escalate the situation.

Apart from this, China could offer assistance in border security cooperation between Pakistan and Iran, potentially mitigating issues like cross-border smuggling or militant activity which could involve training programs, equipment support, or information sharing initiatives. 

Military Nexus:

Another essential component of the "stronger than steel" China-Pakistan friendship is military cooperation. 

According to the RAND Corporation, China has long been a vital source of arms for Iran, supporting both the "transfer of technology and machinery" for its covert nuclear programme and Iran's efforts to update its military hardware and strategies.

However, it is to be noted here that the cross-border conflicts between Iran and Pakistan this week were unexpected because, despite their frequent accusations of one another's support for terrorist activities, government troops rarely conduct cross-border operations.