Iran and Pakistan have declared their intention to enhance cooperation on regional peace and stability.
That debatable vow between the two Islamist nations came amid a two-day visit to Pakistan by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who was accompanied by political, economic and military delegates.
Zarif also announced that the two countries had agreed “on establishing various joint cooperation committees on border issues, immigration, terrorism.”
Iran has been branded by the United States as one of the world’s worst state sponsors of terror.
Zarif held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. Following the recent U.S. presidential elections, Premier Khan tweeted, “Congratulations @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris. Look forward to President Elect Biden’s Global Summit on Democracy & working with him to end illegal tax havens & stealth of nation’s wealth by corrupt ldrs. We will also continue to work with US for peace in Afghanistan & in the region.”
During later talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the top Iranian diplomat announced that the Islamic Republic will be opening the Rimdan border crossing in the southeastern province of Sistan with Baluchestan in Pakistan within the next week.
“We had a very good discussion on border cooperation including border markets, as well as opening a new border crossing in Rimdan-Gabd between Iran and Pakistan, which will happen, hopefully within a week or two,” he said in English, adding, “We are appreciative of the fact that Pakistan is putting a fence on the border, and also putting several garrisons in the border.”
Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi said, speaking in Urdu, that his nation and Iran will “increase our consultations on Afghanistan,” and “have decided that we will keep closely in touch with each other over Afghanistan so that we are able to achieve our shared objective.”
The Iranian delegation also travelled to Rawalpindi for meetings with Pakistan Army chief, General Qamar Javaid Bajwa and other military officials.
The visit came as part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, and marks the Iranian Foreign Minister’s fourth visit to Pakistan during the last two and a half years.