The visit to Pakistan by the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, raises hopes for improved bilateral ties between Iran and Pakistan. Given the unrest brewing in Afghanistan, and the heightened terror attacks along the border of the two countries, the need for closer cooperation to resolve tensions is undeniable. Once such urgent threats are neutralised, this will pave a path towards strengthened economic and regional ties as well.
Iran and Pakistan highlighted mutual objectives of working on border security and encouraging peace in Afghanistan at the 11th session of the Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC). This came in light of the incident on September 28 when a terrorist attacked a Pakistani border post and killed a guard. It is reassuring to see that the subsequent protests by our government were taken seriously and an attempt is being made to make the border more secure for both the parties.
Regional tensions are also increasing because of Afghanistan. The Taliban are failing to establish themselves as a legitimate government and seem to have no grip over the humanitarian crisis that is just on the verge of spilling over to regional countries. There is a very real exodus taking place in Afghanistan, and refugees could resultantly start moving into countries like Iran and Pakistan, and the potential for regional instability runs very high. To prevent this, Iran and Pakistan can come together to aid Afghanistan in avoiding an economic collapse and prevent the region from turmoil. Only when the international community comes together can Afghan peace truly be achieved and the governments of Iran and Pakistan getting together is a start.
As ties improve, more avenues will also open up to increase the degree of collaboration. Economic opportunities await us, especially in the face of the Adani Port—India’s largest port operator—refusing to handle Iranian and Pakistani cargo for no apparent reason. The best step forward is to establish our own route for maritime trade that avoids all the tension that emanates from India as well. The possibilities are endless and it is good to see that both sides are working towards making the most of it.
Source: Published in The Nation