Iran's team in Pakistan: Top-level delegates to join talks in Islamabad

[0:00] Well, for more now on Pakistan's role and what we can expect to happen in Islamabad, [0:04] we're joined by Maliha Lodi, who's a former Pakistani diplomat who served [0:08] as Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, as well as the permanent representative [0:12] to the United Nations. Ambassador Lodi, thank you so much for your time. [0:16] Tell us first about what Pakistan brings to the table as a mediator in these crucial talks. [0:22] Well, I think what is clear, and that's been repeated over and over again, [0:29] Pakistan has excellent relations with both Washington as well as Tehran. [0:35] And of course, it has had long experience in mediation. [0:39] If we look back, Pakistan was a mediator in the talks between the United States and the Taliban, [0:47] which led to the Doha agreement, under which the U.S. withdrew militarily from Afghanistan. [0:52] And if we look back even further, we see that Pakistan was a key actor or mediator [0:58] between the United States and China during the Cold War, which led to the rapprochement [1:05] between the two countries and, in fact, altered the course of the Cold War. [1:09] So Pakistan brings historic experience. Pakistan brings its current position. [1:15] And of course, what this mediation has established is the geopolitical importance of Pakistan. [1:21] And I would also add another point, which is that we are now looking at a world that is changing so much [1:29] that countries like Pakistan, which are middle powers, are showing that they are able to play a key role [1:36] on the global stage and, in fact, influence global geopolitics. [1:40] But as the world is changing, you say, Ambassador yourself, as alliances are being redrawn, [1:45] especially in this region, where does Pakistan stand? [1:48] It's a very difficult balancing act, is it not? [1:52] Well, again, I'd say that Pakistan has a lot of experience. [1:56] It has done this balancing act between, for example, Iran and Saudi Arabia for decades. [2:02] Iran being a neighbor, Saudi Arabia being a strategic ally. [2:07] And then again, between China and the United States, the balancing has gone on for a long time. [2:13] So, you know, this is not new to Pakistan. [2:16] Right. But these negotiations are particularly complex. [2:19] And the reason I say this is prior even to this starting in Islamabad, these talks and the delegations arriving there, [2:27] Pakistan said it was given assurances of an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon. [2:32] But then we had the U.S. vice president say that that was a misunderstanding. [2:36] Was there a misunderstanding from Pakistan's perspective? [2:39] And, you know, what sort of progress can we really expect in Islamabad when it would seem that the grounds for this invitation there seem to be in question? [2:51] Well, look, there are always going to be problems ahead of talks. [2:54] There will be a lot of posturing on all sides. [2:58] And, you know, countries will always put forward their maximalist demands. [3:02] Now, your question about what can we expect, realistically speaking, I think, first of all, we should recognize that diplomacy is not an event. [3:10] It's a process. It takes time. [3:13] And therefore, I think what is the best case scenario that can come out of Islamabad is some kind of a broad agreement between the two sides, between the United States and Iran. [3:23] And after all, they're represented by very high-powered delegations that have a lot of authority. [3:29] So if they can come to a broad understanding that they can then take back to their capitals to get the approval of their principles, [3:37] and then more detailed, you know, talks can take place after that. [3:41] Yeah. [3:42] So I think that's the best that we can expect, a broad understanding. [3:45] Right. And of course, obviously, you have a lot of experience, Ambassador, in these types of negotiations. [3:51] You know, with both delegations in Islamabad appearing to have real-time decision-making authority with the vice president of the United States present there, [3:59] the parliamentary speaker in Iran, what do you expect they can agree on in the immediate? [4:07] Well, I think, first of all, I think it's important that the ceasefire stays in place. [4:12] So therefore, this issue that you raised earlier, you know, what does it actually cover? [4:17] And then the role of Israel, because if Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon, [4:23] this will create real obstacles for progress in these talks. [4:28] So I think that would be extremely important, because, and then I think perhaps if they could agree on, [4:35] you know, until there's a final settlement, if they can agree on extending the ceasefire. [4:41] Because, again, I'm not too sure whether you can expect a deal to emerge within a fortnight's time. [4:47] So if more time is needed, I think if they can agree on this. [4:51] And so what sort of timeline do you anticipate to unfold here? [4:56] And do you think Pakistan is ready for this to continue for as long as it takes? [5:00] Is it willing to get involved for as long as it takes? [5:05] Well, Pakistan has come this far, so I don't see any reason why it should not continue. [5:10] Plus, I think we're at a stage where face-to-face talks have to take place between the United States and Iran. [5:17] And as you know, your correspondents have also been reporting this. [5:21] The talks start by bilaterals between Pakistan-Iran, Pakistan-U.S. [5:27] Then there's a trilateral where all three are together. [5:30] And then it has to morph into face-to-face talks between the two principal parties to the conflict. [5:38] So I think we need time to do all of that. [5:41] So if the talks are going to be extended by a couple of days, all well and good, [5:48] I think Pakistan would have no problem. [5:50] As I said, having come this far, it's not going to let go. [5:53] Thank you so much, Ambassador Lodi, for taking the time to speak to us. [5:58] Maliha Lodi, former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, joining us there from Islamabad.