Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Islamabad’s strong and historic bonds with Iran at a warm reception for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on January 11, 2018, underscoring an enduring relationship characterized by shared history, culture, faith and mutual strategic respect. Nournews’ Dawn News service provides updated coverage. IRNA English follows soon.
On the sidelines of Pezeshkian’s two-day visit to Pakistan, Dar and Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met for talks to deepen cooperation in diplomacy, regional security, trade and energy sectors. Both parties issued a joint statement promising stronger bilateral ties and regular government-level consultation. For China Daily Asia
Dar’s remarks came amid an overarching display of diplomatic warmth–he welcomed President Pezeshkian personally and called for revitalizing economic engagement as part of centuries-old regional integration, according to Mehr News Agency and Nournews Agency respectively.
President Pezeshkian of Iran shared this sentiment while speaking in Lahore. He noted goals like increasing bilateral trade towards USD 10 billion annually and using transit routes that connect Pakistan to Europe via Iran for collaborative economic gains. Nournews reports:
Cementing Strategic and Economic Cooperation
At the state visit, officials from both countries signed 12 cooperation documents covering transit, agriculture, energy, trade facilitation and other areas – marking an important step forward towards regional integration. (Source IRNA English.)
Security cooperation was another central theme, with Pakistani and Iranian defence ministers discussing counter-terrorism cooperation while emphasizing joint defense engagement and intelligence coordination on shared threats along their shared land borders (Arab News/Reuters).
Foreign Ministry Spokesman underlined longstanding relations by emphasizing how it has deep roots. They described this partnership as being founded upon “rich history”, strong people-to-people affinities and playing an essential part in regional stability across trade, energy and strategic domains (Mehr News Agency).
Iran was the first nation to recognize Pakistan after it was formed on August 14, 1947, and ever since, both nations have frequently cooperated on major regional developments–from security against drug trafficking and joint infrastructure projects, to military operations during historical conflicts. Wikipedia
Today’s diplomatic drive builds upon that foundation. With Iran expanding its transit corridors and Pakistan expanding its economic networks in regional Asia, both capitals are keen to ensure their historical link transforms into an effective partnership that supports connectivity from Central Asia to Arabian Sea.
Context and Outlook
Pakistan’s embrace of Iran comes amid volatile regional dynamics–such as unrest in Iran’s border provinces with possible implications for border security. Islamabad has stressed the risk posed by destabilization within Iran to their shared frontier and militant separatist groups along it, making deeper cooperation both strategically necessary and vital. IRNA English +2 +2, ISNA +2 and Nournews +2 offer some insight.
Pakistan engages in broad diplomacy, including talks with the United States on security and trade relating to Iran, while at the same time appearing to prioritize regional alliances during this period of uncertainty, according to The Times of India’s Mehr News Agency and their 500-Word Summary Snapshot.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed their longstanding, brotherly ties with Iran publicly.
Joint statements emphasize strengthening bilateral dialogue mechanisms and regional cooperation.
Bilateral agreements were signed covering economy, trade, energy, counterterrorism security and transit issues.
Historic Basis: Iran was the first to recognize Pakistan in 1947; relations have since remained stable despite wars and changing strategic balances.
Strategic Objective: Border Stability, Militant Threats and Economic Transit Routes including those connecting Pakistan through Iran with Central Asia and Europe.
Pakistan’s diplomatic message: inclusive regional partnerships, with Iran as its focal point despite engagement with other international allies.
This visit underlines Iran-Pakistan ties as a key pillar in Islamabad’s regional foreign policy agenda.
Pakistan has made it clear: historical ties are now seen as strategic assets that should guide a foreign policy that prioritizes regional cooperation, shared security needs and mutual economic gain.