Surben-Mirdeshi relations

The relations between the Surben Republic and the Mirdesh Confederacy have been some of the most influential in galactic politics during the galactic age. The two nations were the first two independent nations that still exist to discover one another in an extrasolar context in 1987 AD. The relations between the two countries eversince have ranged from cordial to allied. 
Upon their initial contact, the intent of the Mirdesh was to integrate the Surben into the Confederacy as they had done previously. However the Surben were at this stage technologically ahead of the Mirdesh and uninterested in joining the Confederacy. Following the abandonment of negotiations for integration, the two countries signed several treaties, most notably the first trade treaty in galactic history. The Surben and Mirdesh both developed animosity against the Ur-Han Empire, particularly following the Second Telom War when they both lost territory to the Empire. The two countries periodically allied each other to counter the Ur-Han, and generally supported one another's foreign policy.
During the Great War, the Mirdesh immediately sided with the Surben but only provided economic support. Following the Terran entry into the Great War, the Mirdesh joined the Surben-led Coalition of Galactic Defence and declared war on the Terrans. Following the war and the dismantling of the Coalition, the Mirdesh-Surben alliance endured, and has done so ever since. Despite the much larger population of the Confederacy, the more efficient administration and unified technological level of the Surben makes the relationship virtually equal. Both countries have a seat on the UCO Council, along with the Terran Federal Republic. They also support the new Ur-Han Kingdom. The two countries are one another's largest importer and exporter. Both countries generally view themselves as under threat by the Federation, which has sought to increase its influence across the galaxy, particularly in separatist areas of the Confederacy.