Rouhani Reiterates Enhancement of Iran-Pakistan Economic Interactions

Speaking at a Tuesday meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, President Rouhani said that Tehran-Islamabad economic ties must exceed the current level, adding that the two sides should not be satisfied with the current level of relations and volume of trade.

The Iranian president called for further efforts, better mechanisms, and removal of obstacles to reach a higher level of trade interactions between the two neighboring countries.

The Iranian head of the state then touched upon regional issues, and re-voiced his country’s support for the establishment of region-wide peace and security, adding that Tehran considers peace in the Middle East as a key to the region’s prosperity.

He thanked Pakistan for taking good steps in contributing to security along the shared borderline between the two countries, adding that Tehran and Islamabad are both determined to fight against the problem of smuggling and insecurity in their border regions.

The Pakistani commander, for his part in the meeting, reassured that Islamabad will tap into all capacities to expand bilateral ties with Iran in all areas of trade and economy, voicing his country’s readiness for measures to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

General Bajwa underlined that the shared borderline between the two countries should turn into a border of peace and brotherhood, adding that both sides are willing to enhance security and establish lasting peace along their shared border.

He highlighted that peace and security along the border are the pre-requirements for bolstering economic and commercial relations between the two sides.

In another meeting in Tehran, General Bajwa met with Commander of the Iranian Army Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, and the two examined avenues for broadening military cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

Mousavi said that the two countries enjoy many religious commonalities and have had cooperation in different fields from the distant past.

He noted that Iranian and Pakistani armies have numerous cooperation in different areas such as the exchange of students and holding educational programs, hoping that these relations would further enhance in the future.

For his part, the Pakistani commander welcomed bilateral relations with Iran saying that his force is ready to boost cooperation with the Iranian Army in various fields.

He said that the two countries have shared interests and are facing common threats that require the two countries to increase interaction.

The two commanders discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in many areas such as border security.

Heading a high-ranking military and security delegation, the Pakistani Army commander arrived in Tehran on Monday. General Bajwa held a meeting on Monday with Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Force Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri. He is also slated to hold a meeting with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

 Last month, Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad Mehdi Honardoust and Pakistani Minister for Defense Production Zubaida Jalal Khan, in a meeting in Rawalpindi, exchanged views on ways to boost military and defense cooperation.

Honardoust met and held talks with Jalal Khan in Rawalpindi of Pakistan on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in defense production.

Expanding economic cooperation alongside regional cooperation with Pakistan is one of the most important issues for Iran, Honardoust said.

Referring to the close relationship between Iran and Pakistan, Pakistani Minister for Defense Production mentioned that her country is ready for any cooperation and support.

Iran is pursuing a strategy of broader military cooperation with all countries which are enjoying friendly ties with Tehran.

In September, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami and his Syrian counterpart Ali Abdullah Ayyoub in a phone conversation underscored the need for increasing cooperation between the two countries to promote peace and stability in the region and Syria.

Back in July, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi underlined that establishment of security in international waterways and seas will be guaranteed through cooperation between Tehran and Moscow’s naval forces.

“Iran and Russia enjoy highly powerful navies at the regional and trans-regional levels and definitely, cooperation between the two forces will benefit both countries,” he added.

Downing of the US Global Hawk drone by Iran in the Persian Gulf prompted a rethink within the Indian military establishment, led by the air force, over the acquisition of American-made armed drones on account of their cost and questions over their survivability.