ABSTRACT
There has been little discussion of the role of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in the context of the possible areas of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific for the “Quad Plus”. To fill this gap, this chapter argues that strengthening connectivity with the Makran region, which straddles the southern coast of Iran and Pakistan, is an urgent issue for the “Quad Plus” to address. After closely examining each case, this paper discusses how strengthening connectivity with the Makran region helps the “Quad Plus” maintain energy security and freedom of navigation. The Trump administration’s “America First” policy led Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran to look toward China and Russia for succour, which eventually amounted to a diplomatic defeat for the members of the “Quad Plus”. Hence, this paper proposes that engaging Iran and supporting the Afghan peace process is the key to bring peace and stability not only in this region, but also globally.
