Pakistan and Iran have expressed respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, resolving to expand security cooperation, stepping up efforts to mend ties after tit-for-tat missile strikes this month at what they said were militant targets.
Foreign ministers of the two countries held talks in the Pakistani capital days after their military tensions raised alarm about wider instability in the region since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in October.
Pakistan’s caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, speaking at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said the neighbours were able to resolve misunderstandings fairly quickly, agreeing to fight terrorism in their respective areas and allay each other’s concerns.
On his part, Abdollahian said the two countries have a good understanding, adding that Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi would soon visit Pakistan.
Tensions between the two countries rose after the missile strikes, with Pakistan recalling its ambassador to Tehran and not allowing his counterpart to return to Islamabad, as well as cancelling all high-level diplomatic and trade engagements.
