New Delhi:

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Islamabad on Monday and discussed strengthening bilateral ties. However, the Pakistan PM’s attempt to secure Ebrahim Raisi’s support on Kashmir during their joint press conference failed. The Iran President’s refusal to engage with the topic indicates Iran’s delicate balancing act as the country pursues cordial relations with India. This is underscored by recent talks between India and Iran on Palestine, besides diplomatic and trade ties.

Iran President Raisi arrived in Islamabad Monday for a three-day visit. During their joint press conference, Shehbaz Sharif sought to link Iran’s stance on the situation in Gaza with that in Kashmir. Thanking President Raisi, he said, “I thank you and the people of Iran for raising your voice for Kashmir.”

However, Raisi did not acknowledge the comment and refrained from bringing it up during his own speech, instead focusing on Iran’s support for those fighting against oppression, especially in Palestine.

His silence was a snub to Mr Sharif, who failed to secure Iran’s support on the India-Pakistan dispute.

On Tuesday, New Delhi pointed out that Iran and India share a long history of meaningful relations. A press statement put up by the Indian Embassy in Tehran said: “India and Iran share a millennia-long history of interactions. The contemporary and relationship draws upon the strength of these historical and civilisational ties, and continues to grow further marked by high-level exchanges, commercial and connectivity cooperation, cultural and robust people-to-people ties.” The note also detailed bilateral relations and high level visits between the two nations.

In January, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian hosted Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in Tehran. Their discussions covered the violence in Palestine, as well as bilateral and multilateral ties with BRICS nations. Since Iran has bilateral ties with both India and Pakistan, maintaining a neutral stance on Kashmir is crucial.

The Iran President’s state visit to Pakistan comes months after Iran and Pakistan carried out retaliatory strikes against alleged terrorist hideouts on each other’s lands. It marks an active effort by both nations to mend their fractured ties. President Raisi is the first foreign leader to visit Pakistan after the country held its controversial general elections on February 8.

In this photo released by Prime Minister Office, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, right, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, left, prays after planting a tree in the prime minister house in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, April 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on April 22 agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism as they discussed ways to promote cooperation between their countries, months after the two neighbours carried out tit-for-tat air strikes against alleged terrorist hideouts on rival lands.

Mr. Raisi, the first head of State of any country to visit Pakistan after the February 8 general elections, was welcomed by PM Sharif at the Prime Minister House where the Iranian leader inspected the Guard of Honour.

During their talks, President Raisi and Prime Minister Sharif agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

It added that the two leaders also held discussions to increase trade and communication links between their countries.

Addressing a joint press conference, Iranian President Raisi said that the existing bilateral trade volume was “not acceptable” and added that Iran and Pakistan have decided to increase the trade volume to $10 billion.

“We are committed to strengthening relations at high levels….Economic and trade volume between Iran and Pakistan is not acceptable. We have decided as a first step to increase trade volume between our two countries to $10bn,” Mr. Raisi said.

On his part, Mr. Sharif called for strengthening Pak-Iran ties despite challenges. “We have to keep this relationship strong despite the challenges we both face,” he said.

Mr. Sharif said he had detailed discussions with President Raisi on “religious, cultural, diplomatic, investment, and security matters” during their meeting.

He described Mr. Raisi as an “ocean of political intelligence and wisdom”, and said Iran would progress further under his leadership.

“Pakistan and Iran can prosper and our borders can see progress,” Mr. Sharif said, expressing hope that the shared border can adapt for trade and business.

He expressed hope for the relationship between the neighbours to be “firm and stable”, noting that today was an opportunity to “make this friendship a happy and prosperous one”.

Prime Minister Sharif and President Raisi planted a tree on the lawn of the Prime Minister House as the world marked Earth Day on April 22.

Mr. Sharif was quoted as saying that the entire nation welcomed the Iranian president’s visit while Mr. Raisi expressed gratitude to the premier for the warm welcome accorded to him, Radio Pakistan reported.

Mr. Raisi, who arrived in Pakistan on a three-day official visit to promote cooperation, was accorded a warm welcome at the Islamabad Airport and was received by Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on social media platform X.

The Iranian President is accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister and other members of the Cabinet and senior officials, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Soon after Mr. Raisi’s arrival, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the Iranian president in Islamabad, where they discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, Radio Pakistan reported.

Mr. Raisi and Mr. Dar “emphasised the importance of enhanced efforts to further consolidate bilateral relations in diverse fields”, it said, adding that they also “affirmed commitment to peace and constructive dialogue for resolving regional challenges”.

President Raisi has an extensive programme in Pakistan and is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani and Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq.

He will also visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership, the Foreign Office said.

“The two leaders will participate in a ceremony regarding naming a highway in Islamabad as Iran Avenue,” Radio Pakistan earlier said, adding that the Prime Minister would also host a lunch for the Iranian President and his delegation.

“The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts,” according to the FO statement.

The talks will focus on regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism.

Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion. This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations, according to the Foreign Office.

Mr. Raisi is visiting Pakistan months after the cordial ties between the two neighbours suffered a setback when Tehran shocked Islamabad by carrying out airstrikes against alleged militant hideouts in the restive Balochistan province in January.

Pakistan swiftly responded by using killer drones and rockets to carry out “precision military strikes” against what it called “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Siestan-Balochistan province, killing 9 people.

However, the two sides acted fast to restrain tempers through diplomatic channels. Mr. Raisi’s visit is expected to further cement their ties.