Understanding Pakistan’s Balancing Act on Iran

June 25, 2025

General Studies Paper -2

Context

Pakistan has extended strong rhetorical support to Iran amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

Iran and Pakistan Relations

Foundational Ties: Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan after its independence in 1947.
- Iran provided military and diplomatic support to Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars with India.
- Despite shared Islamic identity, ties have been marked by deep mistrust, particularly since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which redefined Iran’s geopolitical stance.
Border Tensions and the Baloch Question: The 900-km Iran-Pakistan border runs through the Baloch heartland, with the Pak province of Balochistan on one side and the Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchistan on the other.
- Each side accuses the other of providing safe haven to separatist groups.
- There have been at least 15 border clashes in the past decade, most recently in January 2024.
Divergence over Afghanistan: Iran (Shia-Majority) supported the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance in the 1990s, out of concerns stemming from a strongly anti-Shia group (Taliban) ruling a neighbour with which it shares a 921-km-border.
- Pakistan has historically backed the Taliban, resulting in conflicting regional stakes in Afghanistan.
Sectarian Dimensions and the Saudi Factor: Pakistan’s close alliance with Saudi Arabia, a Sunni-majority power, has strained ties with Iran.
- Saudi-funded Sunni madrasas in Pakistan have fostered sectarian ideologies against Shia minorities.
- Iran sees this as part of a broader Sunni axis hostile to its interests.

The American Angle: Divergent Alignments

Post-1979, Iran has remained hostile to the US, while Pakistan has relied on American support, particularly during the Cold War.
Post-9/11 era, Pakistan was a key US ally against the Taliban, receiving massive military and economic aid.
US disengagement post-2021 (after the Afghanistan exit) has reduced Pakistan’s value America’s strategic calculus.
Now, Iran–Israel tensions offer Pakistan a potential diplomatic opening to regain relevance in US eyes:
Publicly rejecting military support for Iran reassures US.
Pakistan is also pitching itself as a mediator, with Foreign Minister claiming efforts to amplify Iran’s willingness to negotiate with the US, contingent on a halt in Israeli strikes.

How is Iran Strategically Important to India?

India and Iran share deep civilisational, linguistic, and historical ties. Post-independence, they signed a friendship treaty in 1950.
Key milestones include the 2001 Tehran Declaration and the New Delhi Declaration, which strengthened cooperation in areas like economy, energy, education, and counter-terrorism.
Iran is extremely important for India as a strategic partner as it offers connectivity, particularly through the Chabahar Port and the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
These provide alternative trade routes, bypassing Pakistan and enhance access to Central Asia and beyond.

Emerging Challenges

Pakistan’s actions amid the Iran-Israel conflict reflect a broader strategy to regain regional relevance and re-engage with the US.
Pakistan’s balancing act involves:
Vocal non-military support to Iran.
Leveraging diplomatic tools to remain relevant post-Afghanistan.
Pakistan also sees rhetorical support for Iran as a way to weaken India-Iran ties, especially given India’s strategic investments in Iran’s Chabahar Port and connectivity projects that bypass Pakistan.

Conclusion

The Iran–Pakistan relationship is a strategic paradox which on the surface are Islamic allies with historical ties but in reality are geopolitical competitors, deeply divided over sectarian, regional, and global alignments.
The US factor, India’s strategic outreach to Iran, and the Israel–Iran crisis add further layers to this dynamic.
For India, understanding this relationship is key to protecting its interests in Iran and maintaining regional balance in the face of Pakistan’s recalibrated foreign policy.