In a first official visit of Iran by any Chief of Army staff (COAS) in almost two decades General Qamar Javed Bajwa held meetings with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei as well as the political and military leadership of Tehran.
Both neighbouring countries enjoy friendly relations but recently both sides expressed some apprehensions to each other. Pakistan expressed reservations with Iran when Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav entered Pakistan using Iranian soil. Iranian officials also expressed their desire to Pakistan to take action against militants who were allegedly attacking Iranian security personnel along with the border of Baluchistan. In such a scenario, the best way to expel such feelings of apprehension is discussions and visits to each other. It is expected that with this visit of COAS apprehensions would be turned into warm and welcoming relations between the two countries.
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami thanked the Army Chief for his visit, acknowledged achievements of Pakistan Army in war against terrorism and expressed his country’s willingness to enhance defence cooperation. He said that our policy is to develop relations with our neighbours and Pakistan has a special place in Iranian foreign policy. COAS highlighted that with improved special measures by Pakistan on Pakistan Afghan border, terrorists are likely to exploit Pak-Iran friendly border and both countries need to put in efforts to deny its use by them. Both sides agreed to ensure that their soil is not used by any third party against any of the two countries. In this regard steps including fencing by Iran on their side of the border, coordinated border patrolling, intelligence sharing and more frequent interaction were agreed to. Efficiently managing Pak-Iran border will surely put a halt to the activities of the miscreant in both countries.
Iranian President’s also stressed on the need to have solid defensive and military ties between both the nations to eliminate threats posed by menace of terrorism. Considering the hostile polices of US President Donald Trump towards the both nation, this visit was need of time to further explore ways to enhance bilateral relations. At a time when Indian influence is increasing in Afghanistan, visit of COAS of Tehran was need of time to further strengthening friendly relations with one of very crucial neighbouring country.
