The Iran–Pakistan Strategic Shift: Energy Alliance or Security Gamble?

Abstract

Iran Pakistan relationship has entered critical stage which is influenced by changing regional geopolitics, energy insecurity and multiple security interdependence. Bilateral engagement has traditionally been based on geographic proximity and low levels of strategic cooperation, but has lately been concentrated on energy collaboration, especially the proposed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. This paper reviews whether the new partnership is a potential heinous energy alliance or a critical security issue. Through qualitative policy analysis and assessment of geopolitics, the study finds structural forces such as the acute energy shortage in Pakistan and the geopolitical necessity of Iran to diversify its export markets due to sanctions. Nevertheless, the deeper integration is held back by external sanctions regimes, financial constraints, infrastructural constraints, border insurgency, and  competing regional alignments. The results indicate that, as much as energy diplomacy offers a sound economic platform on which collaboration can take place, security dilemmas, and geopolitical considerations that have not been resolved yet, could lead to the disintegration of long-term sustainability. During the sustainable bilateral engagement, a measured approach should be adopted by balancing between economic pragmatism and security risk control.