Pakistan, Iran agree on enhancing security cooperation after missile strikes

Almost two weeks after relations between Pakistan and Iran continued to fluctuate, both countries have mutually agreed to expand security cooperation.

The agreement was announced during a joint press conference by Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the Foreign Office.

During the presser, the Iranian FM spoke about the involvement of "third countries" behind rising terrorism in the border region between Pakistan and Iran.

"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," he said adding that the terrorists never favour any good actions in line with the benefits and interests of the Pakistani and Iranian governments and nations.

The Iranian foreign minister and his delegation are visiting Pakistan to meet senior government officials for discussion on various matters including security between the two countries.

The minister accepted his Pakistani counterpart's invitation to visit Pakistan during a telephone conversation on January 19 in the wake of Iran's surprise attack targeting militants in Balochistan and Pakistan's retaliatory strikes.

Addressing the presser, both ministers said that they respected each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolved to expand security cooperation, stepping up efforts to mend ties after tit-for-tat missile strikes this month.

The two ministers said that both countries held talks in the Pakistani capital days after their military tensions raised alarm about wider instability in the region.

Furthermore, the two sides also agreed on establishing a Joint Coordination Mechanism at the level of foreign ministers to oversee and steer progress on a common agenda of prosperity and development.

Jilani said that both Iran and Pakistan can resolve misunderstandings fairly quickly. The two countries also agreed to fight terrorism in their respective areas and allay each other's concerns, he added.

Abdollahian, too, said the two countries have a good understanding, adding that there have never been territorial differences or wars between Iran and Pakistan.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi would soon visit Pakistan, he added.

"Pakistan's security is a priority for us," said Amir-Abdollahian, addressing the media during the presser.

The Iranian FM said he considers the people of Iran and Pakistan to be one nation.

Meanwhile, Jilani said that the threats of terrorism pose a common challenge to both countries.

"Pakistan and Iran have agreed to adopt collective and collaborative approaches to confront this menace by fully leveraging the robust institutional mechanisms which already exist between our two countries," he added.

Jilani further maintained that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains an immutable and foundational principle of this cooperation. "We have also agreed to prioritise economic uplift and development of our border areas."

The Pakistani FM also informed the press of an agreement between both nations to cooperate to fight terrorism in their respective areas.

"We need to address and allay each other’s concerns with regard to terrorism and to station the liaison officers on which an agreement was already in place at the earliest date in our two countries. These officers will be deployed in Turbat and Zahedan," he revealed.

Speaking about FM Amir-Abdollahian's visit, Jilani said: "His visit at such short notice testifies to the deep commitment of both sides to further strengthen and solidify the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran."

He added that the relationship between Pakistan and Iran is steeped in shared religion, history, culture and geography. "This is a relationship which is also underpinned by strong bonds of amity and brotherhood."

He spoke about conducting a detailed and comprehensive exchange of views with his counterpart on all issues of interest to both countries. Our discussions were marked by convergences on all issues of mutual interest. 

"We recognised that the close relationship between Iran and Pakistan is not only imperative for the shared prosperity and development of our two people, but also an important source of stability for the region," Jilani said.