Explained Can China Balance Relationship With Saudi Arabia Iran What Is Significance Of Dragon Interested In Gulf Countries For India

China Relation With Saudi Arabia and Iran: Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended three major regional events in Saudi Arabia. During this visit, Xi attended the Saudi-China Summit, the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, and the China-Arab Summit. During the meeting, Xi and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman praised each other for ushering in a new era in Sino-Saudi bilateral relations.

Xi’s visit sent a message to the whole world that Sino-Saudi relations are entering a new period of rapid development. However, Iran’s concerns have now increased due to good relations with Saudi. The increasing proximity of these two countries can be harmful for Tehran.

China’s complicated relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran

China’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran are a bit complicated. China’s leadership will have to maintain good relations with both countries to maintain its neutrality and protect its economic, political and security interests.

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China has kept itself out of the fray of rivalry between Gulf countries (especially Iran and Saudi). However, now it has to be seen how Iran reacts to the news of China buying Saudi $ 4 billion defense equipment. China-made weapons near Saudi can prove dangerous for Iran.

To avoid the notion of giving privileges to Tehran or Riyadh, China has so far adopted a different policy. For example, in 2016, Xi signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreements with both Saudi Arabia and Iran within two weeks. In 2017 and 2019 also, as part of its strategy, China conducted separate military exercises with Iran and Saudi Arabia at intervals of only a few weeks. Now when Xi had gone to Saudi, in the meanwhile, China also made an announcement regarding Tehran. On 10 December, China’s ambassador in Tehran announced that Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua would visit Tehran on 12 December.

Iran’s displeasure
No matter how much China tries under its strategy, but Iran is very angry with Xi Jinping’s Saudi visit. Following Xi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for the Asia-Pacific summoned China’s ambassador to Iran on 12 December.

At the same time, Iran expressed its displeasure about the joint statement of China and Saudi Arabia, in which it has been said that the two countries have agreed on this, “for a peaceful solution to the dispute related to Abu Musa, Greater Tumb and Lesser Tumb”. All countries will support the UAE’s peaceful efforts for bilateral dialogue under international law.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian tweeted, “Abu Musa, Greater Tumb and Lesser Tumb in the Persian Gulf are an integral part of Iran and will always be a part of it. Territorial integrity of Iran should be respected by other countries.”

Let us tell you here that Abu Musa, Greater Tumb and Lesser Tumb are three small islands in the Persian Gulf, which are claimed by both Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Both are face to face regarding this. Iran is not ready to involve a third party to solve this problem at any cost. This is the reason why Iran is furious at the joint statement of Xi and Arab.

Why Xi’s visit to Saudi is important

China welcomed Saudi’s role as a supporter of balance and stability in global oil markets and as a reliable major exporter of crude oil to China. Saudi state TV Al-Ekhbariya said Xi Jinping invited Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz to visit China after the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.

Agreement on what issues?

According to the Chinese state media, an agreement has also been reached between the two countries to hold a meeting of heads of state every two years. Jinping has said that China views Saudi Arabia as an important power globally and attaches great importance to developing a strategic partnership with it. Along with the signing of an energy deal on hydrogen, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic reform agenda, Vision 2030, was discussed. Deals between the two also include a petrochemical project, housing development and Chinese language teaching.

Meaning of Jinping’s visit to Saudi Arabia?

The purpose of Xi Jinping’s Saudi visit is to strengthen ties for his country’s energy supplies due to increasing sanctions on Russia in the wake of the war in Ukraine. At the same time, Saudi Arabia is trying to give a message to America in a way that it should not consider it tied. Just a few months ago, US President Joe Biden was also on a visit to Saudi Arabia. Biden went to persuade Saudi to increase oil production but it refused to do so. On the other hand, China has to sell its weapons as well and Saudi needs it a lot.

What is China’s strategy after all?

Now the question is arising that why China is taking so much interest in Middle Eastern countries. Till now America has always dominated these countries. In such a situation, it is believed that China wants to replace America and wants to increase its dominance by extending a helping hand to these countries.

Will it affect India

While Iran is angry with Xi’s Saudi visit, questions are being raised that what will be the effect of this visit on India. At first glance, the closeness of China and Saudi is a matter of concern for America, but at present there is no harm to India. Gulf countries are friends of India. After China, India is the only country which is the biggest importer of oil.

If there is any concern for India, it is just that the way China is building infrastructure, projects in this area, India will have to be cautious about its activities in this area of ​​its neighbourhood.