Pakistan–Iran ties enter 'most constructive phase' in decades: Envoy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran are experiencing one of the most constructive phases of their bilateral relationship in recent decades, marked by frequent high-level exchanges, expanding economic cooperation and close coordination on regional issues, speakers said at a public talk in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The event, titled “Pakistan–Iran Relations: An Enduring Partnership in a Changing Region,” was organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) through its Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) under the Ambassador’s Platform.

Addressing the gathering, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, highlighted the deep-rooted ties between the two neighbouring countries, which share a long border and a combined population of nearly 350 million people. He said strong people-to-people connections, strategic geography and complementary, non-competitive economic structures provide vast opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The ambassador noted that Tehran and Islamabad maintain closely aligned positions on a range of regional and international issues, including Palestine. He stressed that terrorism and separatist movements remain common challenges requiring enhanced cooperation and coordination between the two countries.

He further underscored that bilateral collaboration is reinforced through shared membership in key multilateral forums, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8).

Ambassador Amiri-Moghaddam said more than 25 high-level delegations have been exchanged over the past two years, alongside the signing of 25 agreements and memoranda of understanding across diverse sectors — reflecting the upward trajectory of ties and shared recognition of their strategic importance.

He pointed to two presidential visits from Iran to Pakistan during this period, as well as exchanges involving parliamentary leaders, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, foreign ministers and other senior officials, as evidence of the depth and dynamism of bilateral engagement.

Highlighting regional economic potential, the envoy said Pakistan and Iran together represent a market of nearly two billion people, which could expand further with the inclusion of Türkiye. He concluded that relations between the two countries rest on a solid foundation of shared history, cultural affinity and common strategic interests.

Chairman of the ISSI Board of Governors, Khalid Mahmood, described Pakistan and Iran as brotherly nations bound by history, culture and religion, noting that ties predate Pakistan’s independence. He recalled that Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan and had supported it during the 1965 and 1971 wars.