Pakistan, Iran strike conciliatory tone

Agree on joint mechanism to prevent future escalations

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Iran on Monday sought to move on from a recent military standoff and agreed on a number of confidence-building measures, including the joint coordination mechanism and immediate stationing of military liaison officers at the border to prevent future escalations.

The two neighbours reached an agreement during the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who travelled to Islamabad two weeks after both the countries launched tit-for-tat missile strikes. The formal talks were held at the Foreign Office where both sides discussed the post-military standoff situation and the way forward.

Addressing a joint news conference after holding closed door talks, the two foreign ministers sounded reconciliatory, sending positive messages.

The outcome of the visit was the establishment of a joint coordination mechanism at the level of foreign ministers between the two countries. The high-level consultative forum would meet alternatively in Tehran and Islamabad on a regular basis to oversee the progress in the bilateral ties.

"There was an agreement to cooperate to fight terrorism in our respective areas. We need to address and allay each other’s concerns with regard to terrorism, and in this connection, we have agreed to station the liaison officers on which an agreement was already in place at the earliest date," Jilani told reporters.

A senior official familiar with the closed-door talks told The Express Tribune that the Iranian delegation came to Pakistan with a clear intention of easing tensions. The official said the talks were “cordial and constructive” and the atmosphere was so positive that it didn’t suggest if the two countries were involved in any military standoff recently.

Both sides instructed their respective officials to only convey positive sentiments and not to mention the tit-for-tat missile strikes that at one point threatened a full-scale conflict between the two neighbours.
The Iranian foreign minister was upbeat and insisted that Iran considers Pakistan’s security as its own.

"We are a single nation located in two different geographical positions. As stated previously we can see Pakistan's security as a brotherly, friendly and neighbourly country of Iran as the security of Islamic Republic of Iran and the security of the whole region. Both Iran and Pakistan strongly respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other," he added.

The top Iranian diplomat pointed fingers at a third country trying to create a wedge between Pakistan and Iran through terrorist groups operating in the border region.

"There is no doubt that the terrorists located in the common border regions and areas of Iran and Pakistan are led and supported by third countries and they never favour any good action in line with the benefits of the Iranian and Pakistani governments and nations."

Abdollahian, at the beginning of his speech, underscored that Iran and Pakistan "never had territorial differences". He pointed to their historical relations, describing them as representing a single nation located in two distinct geographical positions.

Acknowledging an invitation for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Pakistan, the minister highlighted the mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Abdollahian unequivocally stated that both countries would not provide any opportunity for terrorists to threaten their common security.

“We are here, so in a loud voice we will tell all terrorists that Iran and Pakistan will not provide them with any opportunity to endanger our common security,” he stated.

He disclosed that both sides agreed to prompt actions regarding border security, the necessity of combating terrorism, and the expansion of trade, commercial, and economic cooperation. The minister emphasized the joint commitment of Iran and Pakistan to take further measures in these areas as soon as possible.

The Pakistani foreign minister underlined the imperative for collective and collaborative approaches to confront terrorism that posed a common challenge to both Pakistan and Iran.

Foreign Minister of #Iran, HE Amir Abdollahian called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M) #COAS, at GHQ today. #PakistanArmy #Pakistan #ISPR

Realising the historical, religious and cultural ties that bind Pakistan and Iran, both sides emphasized on strengthening bilateral ties… pic.twitter.com/CAeO1ybgha

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 29, 2024

He stressed that robust institutional mechanisms between the two countries on security cooperation should be fully leveraged. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to immediately appoint liaison officers in Turbat and Zahidan to further strengthen ongoing security and intelligence cooperation.

Noting that security and development are intrinsically interlinked, the two Foreign Ministers agreed to expand initiatives for economic and development cooperation including through early operationalization of the joint border markets to uplift the socio-economic status of the people of both countries, especially those residing in the border regions.

Regular high-level engagements provide a leadership driven impetus to the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran, according to the foreign office statement.

“In this backdrop, the foreign minister renewed an invitation to honourable President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi to undertake a visit to Pakistan,” it added.

Also read: 'No doubt' militants in Iran, Pakistan 'supported by third countries', says Tehran envoy

Meanwhile, the ISPR in a separate statement, the army chief during the meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister underscored the centrality of respecting the other state’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling it sacrosanct, inviolable and the most important cardinal of state-to-state relationship.

The two sides observed that terrorism was a common threat that needed to be tackled through collaborative efforts, better coordination and intelligence sharing.

The army chief emphasised the need for sustained engagement and utilizing available communication channels to address security concerns. Both sides agreed to operationalize the mechanism of deployment of military liaison officers in each other’s country at an early date to improve coordination and efficiency of response against common threats.

Also read: Pakistan, Iran to discuss new ‘terms of engagement’ today

Both sides reaffirmed the resolve to remain closely engaged and not allow any spoilers to drive a wedge between the brotherly nations. Pakistan and Iran are fraternal neighbours and the destiny of both nations are intertwined.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the border region which was identified as an indispensable requirement for the well-being of people living on both sides.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday called on Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Underscoring close relations between Pakistan and Iran, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further consolidate bilateral ties.

He also emphasised the need to address common challenges through collaborative and cooperative approaches, rooted in the respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, in particular territorial integrity and sovereignty of both Pakistan and Iran.

The prime minister conveyed his warm sentiments for President Ebrahim Raisi and extended an invitation for him to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

With additional input from APP