Gwadar, Chabahar ports: Pakistan, Iran agree to expand cooperation: Boroujerdi

ALI HUSSAIN

ISLAMABAD: Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security of Iran, Allauddin Boroujerdi on Friday said that Pakistan and Iran have agreed to expand co-operation between Gwadar and Chabahar ports with a view to connect these two seaports with Central Asian states and China for grater regional co-operation.

Speaking at a news conference, the visiting Iranian leader stated that the two counties have also agreed to enhance the bilateral trade to $5 billion from the existing $ 1 billion, adding the there is a lot of potential to increase the unsatisfactory volume of two-way trade between the brotherly countries. He said Gwadar and Chabahar are sister ports and they will help boost bilateral trade between the two countries, adding the two sides have agreed to expand co-operation between the two ports so that these could be linked to Central Asia and China.

About the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project, he said that the project is on the top priority of the two countries, adding Iran has already completed installation of 70-km long pipeline till Pakistan's border. He expressed the hope that bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran would be further enhanced, adding the two countries have extended support to each other during crisis situation and his visit will explore new avenues of co-operation between the two countries in various fields.

Boroujerdi said that the two countries have also been agreed on a close co-operation in the field of anti-narcotics, including formation of joint security and border committees as well as exchange of delegations. To a question, he said that Iran by using its good offices can play a role in reducing tension between Pakistan and India. However, the two countries need to agree on any such role.

Responding to another query regarding an investigation against RAW agent Kulbhushan Yadav who was arrested from Balochistan, he stated, "Had there been any progress of the investigation, Pakistan would've been taken into confidence on its findings." However, he added that concerned agencies of the two countries are in contact with each other on the issue.

Pakistani authorities had earlier claimed that Yadav entered Balochistan via Iranian border before he was arrested in March last year. To another question, the senior Iranian leader ruled out any possibility of Iran's joining the 39-member Islamic Military Alliance led by Saudi Arabia. "The objective of the alliance is nothing else but to shed blood of Yemeni Muslims," he maintained, adding no country would like to join this alliance.

Boroujerdi further stated that the regional countries including Pakistan, Iran, China and Russia should enhance co-operation, adding Pakistani senators have also extended a proposal to form "alliance" of Pakistan, Iran and China and the Iranian side has agreed to that "alliance" for regional co-operation.

He further said that Iran will soon host International Palestine Conference in Tehran and Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani has been invited to represent Pakistan in the moot, adding both the countries have similar position on the issue of Palestine. He said that during his talks with Pakistani leadership, they also exchanged views on the situation of Syria, Yemen and Iraq, adding the two sides have supported the idea of resolving the issues through peaceful negotiations.

On Afghan conflict, he said that Iran desires restoration of peace and stability in the war-torn country, adding Afghans need to take decision of their future themselves. Earlier, the visiting Iranian leader held separate meetings with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Adviser on National Security Lieutenant General Nasir Khan Janjua (retd).

During the meeting, Janjua said Pakistan attaches great value to its relations with Iran. He said that Iran is a very close friend of Pakistan and there is a need to further improve bilateral relations. Matters pertaining to security of the region also came under discussion during the meeting.