Iran, Pakistan to overcome common challenges through greater cooperation: analyst

In an interview with IRNA Lieutenant General (Retd) Talat Masood added that Pakistan at the moment is very keen to improve its relations with Iran and this opportunity should be materialized.

He added that meeting between President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the United Nations General Assembly session in New York is very important as both leaders would likely discuss a number of subjects including bilateral ties and regional developments.
Talat Masood added Pakistan wants to establish greater contact between the two countries as there are common problems which by having greater cooperation and understanding can be solved.
“Sometimes militants attack borders and try to harm relations between the two countries and Pakistan is keen that such incidents may not happen,” he noted.
He said that safety of Shias in Pakistan is another major issue which could be discussed by the two leaders because there have been incidents where they have been targeted.
“Then I think more important thing is that they are two brotherly countries and Pakistan’s close relations with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries should not affect its relations with Iran,” said the analyst.
Talat Masood opined that Pakistan is a very important neighbor of Iran and would like to develop close relations with the country in diplomatic, political and also economic fields. “Pakistan would also like Iran to benefit from the new CPECproject,” he added.
The expert strongly believed that the way President Trump conducted himself against Muslim countries especially against Iran and Pakistan has brought the two countries even closer.
He said the most important subjects for discussion by President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would be the border management and making the friendly border tighter so that militants could not operate, cooperation in trade and commerce, greater diplomatic cooperation as well as greater interaction, greater business and economic opportunity.
He added that new Prime Minister of Pakistan is very dynamic and wants to improve relations with Iran and 'I think this opportunity should be fully materialized.'
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