Iran to develop ‘triangle’ of cooperation with Pakistan, China

Senior officials from Iran and Pakistan discussed plans for stronger cooperation between the two countries yesterday during a meeting in Islamabad.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of Iran’s parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security and Pakistan’s Chairman of the Senate Defence Committee, Mushahid Hussain, stressed the need for enhancing further cooperation.

Talking to Iranian news agency IRNA, the Iranian official said that having strong relations with Pakistan is an integral part of Iranian foreign policy.

During the three day visit the officials will hold important meetings to discuss current regional security situation and further strengthening of cooperation in bilateral ties.

Boroujerdi stressed the need for Iran, China and Pakistan to form a triangle of cooperation which will benefit the three countries. The Pakistani official urged for further cooperation and said that they are committed to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.

Pakistan has been looking to spark an economic boom through giant infrastructure projects with its neighbours. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is pinning his country’s future prosperity on relations with China and Iran which he believes will fix the country’s economic woes through a $46 billion investment scheme known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The key to this three-way relation is Gwadar Port in Balochistan province of Pakistan, which will be a central hub in boosting economic relations between Iran, Pakistan and China.