Pakistan and Iran have mutually committed to intensifying cooperation and exploring novel methods to augment border security and combat the “common threat” of terrorism. This commitment follows the two-day visit of Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, to Tehran. During this visit, Gen Asim engaged in talks with his Iranian counterpart and also met with Iran’s civilian leadership, including the president and foreign minister. The discussions mainly revolved around key issues such as border security and terrorism.
Successful Meetings and Agreement on Joint Threat
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has declared Gen Asim’s visit a success. Detailed meetings with Iran’s military leadership, including Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, were held. A mutual commitment was made towards sharing intelligence, taking effective actions against terrorist networks, and exploring ways to enhance cooperation in the security domain.
Impact of Iran-Saudi Arabia Rapprochement on Pakistan-Iran Relations
In the past, Pakistan and Iran’s ties have suffered due to a trust deficit primarily caused by the regional rivalry between Tehran and Riyadh. However, a significant shift in the geopolitical environment was observed following the landmark rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, brokered by China. This has led to restoring diplomatic ties and agreement on improving their relationship.
Pakistan has emerged as a direct beneficiary of this Iran-Saudi patch-up, as it previously had to maintain a delicate balance due to its longstanding strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia. With Iran and Saudi Arabia burying the hatchet, Pakistan sees a golden opportunity to deepen its security and economic cooperation with Iran. The recent agreement for barter trade with Iran and other regional countries to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions on Tehran exemplifies this shift.
