Iran's Raisi arrives in Pakistan for bilateral talks

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Apr 2024 09:39

The Iranian President says that the high-level delegation he is heading will engage in wide-ranging discussions with Pakistani officials on Monday.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi walks alongside Pakistani officials and security forces during a ceremony welcoming him to Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 22, 2024. (Iranian Presidency)

The Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, for high-level talks with Pakistani officials on Monday.

Upon his arrival, President Raisi met and held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar.

"The government and the people of Pakistan are looking forward to your visit and we are proud to host you," the Pakistani Foreign Minister said.

He also emphasized that the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in supporting the Palestinian nation is commendable.

"The Islamic world appreciates the role played by the Islamic Republic of Iran to solve common challenges," he noted.

Before departing to Islamabad, Raisi told reporters that his government is looking to reach a $10 billion mark in bilateral trade with Pakistan. Iran's southeastern neighbor holds strong economic and political ties with Tehran. The two governments look to further expand bilateral cooperation.

Raisi said that Iran and Pakistan share common values and excel in cooperation on issues relating to human rights, defending the oppressed Palestinian people, and fighting regional terrorism.

Raisi's government has made it a priority to enhance and expand relations with neighboring, like-minded, and Islamic nations. The President stressed that his visit to Pakistan comes in this context, where the delegation he heads will look to promote bilateral ties with Islamabad.

The delegation is scheduled to discuss several issues with Pakistani officials, including border security, security in general, economy, commerce, and energy.

"We consider the security of Pakistan as our security and the security of the common borders between the two countries is in the interest of the two countries and the two nations," Raisi stated.

Colonial countries sabotage Iran-Pakistan relations

Earlier on April 12, during a telephone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, Raisi stated that the development of bilateral ties between the two nations is being sabotaged by colonial powers.

While congratulating Zardari for winning a second term as Pakistan’s President, Raisi said, "The development of Iran-Pakistan relations is not agreeable to colonial powers, and they are seeking to drive a wedge between the two Muslim countries."

He continued that the joint fight against terrorism must be reinforced, and stressed that enemies should not be given the door to apply their agendas, as he described the Israeli genocide in Gaza as "great sadness" for Muslim nations, and called on independent nations to exert pressure against "Israel".

"The vast cultural and historical similarities between the two countries are a suitable ground for the expansion of cultural, commercial, economic relations and the exchange of diverse and numerous capacities between the two sides," the Pakistani President noted.