Linking Chabahar, Gwadar ports to complete Chinese OBOR Initiative: Iran official

Kamal Kharazi who was in Islamabad to participate at a seminar on 'Pakistan and Regional Security in West Asia-The Role of Iran' organized by Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI) said Chabahar is open to all those countries who wish to be part of the project.

He said although Pakistan is not considered geographically part of West Asia, its close relations with the countries in this region not only has given her an important position among West Asian countries, but the developments in this region have had high impacts on the political, economic and social development of Pakistan, and on the other hand, Pakistan’s policies on the region.

“From another angle, Iran and Pakistan are both two major countries in the Indian Ocean region, and play important and significant roles in the Oman Sea, South Asia and the Indian Ocean. Therefore, Iran-Pakistan relations should be considered from different perspectives,” Kharazi pointed out.

He said since the separation of Pakistan from India, a very close and friendly relation was established between Iran and Pakistan and in fact, until the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the relationship between the two countries was unique.

“Even at the time when Pakistani security was at stake, Iran was supportive to its friend, Pakistan as much as possible,” added Kharazi.

The expert on international affairs said, however, during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, despite the fact that both countries supported the people of Afghanistan and paid heavy price, but the political and military developments in the region and the intervention of the United States and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf in Afghanistan led Iran and Pakistan to adopt two different approaches towards that crises.

“Pakistan expanded its relations with the United States and the Persian Gulf Arab states, and Iran adopted a new policy which was not in line with the US policies, and gradually the level of cooperation between the two countries decreased,” the official said.

Expressing his views, the analyst said given the existing opportunities and threats in the West and South Asia, and the policies adopted against both countries, it is imperative that the two countries work together, in light of what is listed below, to turn those threats into opportunities and seize opportunities in their common interests.

He said the Arab revolutions that took place in the region about seven years ago, affected even the non-Arab countries and developed instability throughout the region.

“In these developments, some countries have been playing a destabilizing role, while others have tried to stabilize the region. Pakistan has played an impartial role in these developments despite being a member of coalition created by Saudi Arabia and under its pressure. However, a military alliance that is shaped in support of one country and against another would have a negative impact on the stability of the whole region,” he said.

He added that since Pakistan has good relations with all countries in the region, it can play a constructive intermediary role in bringing the countries of the region closer together.

Former foreign minister said instability in West Asia has led to the emergence of Takfiri terrorism that could jeopardize the security of all countries, including Iran and Pakistan.

“Security and intelligence cooperation between the two countries not only would reduce the dangers of terrorist activities in the two countries, but also would have a positive impact on the stability of the whole region,” he said.

Kharazi was of the view that Afghanistan is a crisis that has cost Iran and Pakistan heavy prices since four decades ago. “However, in spite of the problems that may have been occasionally arisen, the two countries have no choice but to work together to promote stability and security in Afghanistan and reduce terrorist activities,” said the expert.

He added Indian Ocean Security is essential for the security of Iran and Pakistan.

“Pakistan has particular security concerns regarding its neighbor India, which needs to be addressed. In contrast, the security concerns of the Iran, especially on its eastern borders, should be addressed by Pakistan,” said the Iranian official.

Kharazi said possible economic cooperation between Iran and India in Chabahar, is one of Pakistan's concerns.

“Iran is not oblivious on this concern, and Chabahar is open to other countries who wish to be present,” he said.

The analyst said in fact the cooperation of China and Pakistan with Iran in Chabahar may reduce this concern. “As a proposal, Pakistan’s Gwadar port could be connected to Chabahar to complete the Chinese One Belt and One Road Initiative,” he said.

The expert went on to say that the level of economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan is not satisfactory.

“While Iran has good economic relations with its other neighbors, including Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, the level of relationship between Iran and Pakistan is unfortunately low,” he noted.

Kharazi added that connecting Iran's gas pipeline to Pakistan, Pakistan's cooperation with Chabahar project, cooperation between the private sectors of two countries, using the two countries national currencies for business, visa facility and the promotion of tourism would develop the relations between the two countries.

Kharazi believed that the proposal put forward by Pakistan on cooperation between the four countries of Iran, Pakistan, China and Russia in security and economic fields which would have significant strategic impacts on the security and economic development of the region should be studied carefully.

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