Top Iranian general holds crucial talks at GHQ

Gen Bagheri seeks to expand military cooperation with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

A top Iranian General, visiting Pakistan, held talks with Army Chief General Asim Munir and met President Asif Ali Zardari here on Monday to discuss bilateral defence cooperation as well as regional and international issues.

The visit of Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Iranian Armed Forces came against the backdrop of host of international and regional developments.

Some of the recent developments in the Middle East were seen as setback for Iran. With President Donald Trump at the helm in the White House, there would be increased pressure and more sanctions on Iran.

General Bagheri visited GHQ and held talks with General Asim Munir.

"During the meeting, both sides discussed matters related to the prevailing regional security environment and bilateral defence cooperation," a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

"Upon his arrival at GHQ, Major General Mohammad Bagheri laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada in homage to Pakistan's martyrs. He was warmly received, including a guard of honor presented by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army," it added.

No further details were provided. But General Bagheri told Iranian media that Iran and Pakistan were expanding military cooperation in various fields.

"Relations between the Iranian and Pakistani armed forces have been developing in recent years and we have reached good agreements," Bagheri told the Iranian media after he landed in Islamabad.

He pointed to the security issues within the long border between Iran and Pakistan and added that the two countries are working to turn common border areas into a "border of friendship for the two nations and a place for broad economic connections".

"Iran and Pakistan are two major Muslim countries in the sensitive West and South Asia region and have extensive ties with each other," the top Iranian general emphasised.

He said Tehran and Islamabad have a common stance on many issues that occurred in the region over the past year.

Talks with the Pakistani officials would focus on regional developments so that the two neighboring states would be able to adopt a coordinated position in different international circles, Bagheri noted.

Meanwhile, General Bagheri called on President Asif Ali Zardari, at Aiwan-e-Sadr and exchanged views on matters of bilateral importance.

During the meeting, both sides highlighted the longstanding and fraternal relations between Pakistan and Iran and emphasised the need to promote trade and economic relations for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.

It was also highlighted that terrorism was a shared challenge and both countries needed to take effective and coordinated measures to address this challenge, an official handout issued by the President Office said.

The Iranian armed forces chief appreciated Pakistan's stance on Gaza and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Sadiq, Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan received Hashem Ashjazade, Iran's Special Envoy for Afghanistan and DG for South Asia on Monday.

Both sides discussed fast changing international geo-political situation and regional challenges faced by the two countries. Both sides agreed to jointly address these challenges.

Reza Amiri Moghadam, Ambassador of Iran to Islamabad, and Pakistan's Ambassador to Tehran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, also attended the meeting.