Islamabad (TDI): Iran has expressed a keen interest in becoming part of the Silk Road initiative alongside Pakistan and China, aiming to strengthen regional connectivity and trade ties.
This development came during a high-level meeting in Islamabad where Iranian Minister for Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, met with Pakistan’s Federal Ministers Abdul Aleem Khan, Jam Kamal Khan, and Hanif Abbasi. She was part of the Iranian president’s delegation visiting Pakistan on 2-3 August.
According to an official statement, the discussions centered on reinforcing the longstanding ties between Iran and Pakistan, with a special focus on enhancing road and rail infrastructure, as well as regional connectivity. Both nations agreed to expand existing land and railway links, while also exploring the potential of boosting maritime trade through the Gwadar-Chabahar corridor.
Iranian officials signaled their willingness to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-linked Silk Road project and emphasized the importance of regional trade cooperation. Minister Sadegh specifically underscored the need to increase cross-border vehicle movement and proposed upgrades to the Quetta-Zahedan road.
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Welcoming the Iranian delegation, Minister Aleem Khan praised Iran’s resolute stance against Israeli actions, calling it a point of pride for the Muslim world. He noted that recent regional dynamics had brought Pakistan and Iran even closer, and invited Minister Sadegh to attend a ministerial summit scheduled in Islamabad this October.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan highlighted the untapped trade potential between the two neighbors and stressed that both could serve as significant markets for each other. He suggested that joint working groups be established to accelerate the implementation of mutual projects.
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Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi reiterated Pakistan’s intention to revive the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway initiative and confirmed that the Quetta-Zahedan line would be upgraded to facilitate smoother and faster regional transport.
Minister Sadegh expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s warm hospitality and affirmed Iran’s full cooperation in strengthening bilateral and regional ties. She described her visit as both enjoyable and productive.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
