Islamabad (TDI): Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Sunday night on a visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and discussing regional developments amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.
Pakistan and Iran enjoy close relations and have signed several agreements in trade, energy and security in recent years.
Araghchi’s trip comes in the background of growing tensions between Pakistan and India after the Pahalgam incident in which 26 tourists were killed. India falsely blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge which Islamabad strongly denies.
Tensions have escalated between the nuclear-armed neighbors who have announced multiple punitive steps against each other.
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“Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi landed in Islamabad on an official trip,” the foreign office said, adding that he was welcomed by Additional Secretary West Asia Syed Asad Gillani, Iran’s envoy to Pakistan and other key officials.
“He will hold important meetings with the Pakistani leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
In an earlier statement on Sunday, the foreign office said Araghchi’s trip reflects both nations’ commitment to enhancing bilateral collaboration.
It said that the two sides will also discuss regional and global developments.
Tehran has offered to mediate the escalating crisis between Islamabad and New Delhi, with Araghchi stating Iran is “ready to use its good offices” to resolve the standoff.
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The offer came amid fears that New Delhi may carry out limited airstrikes or special forces raids near the border with Pakistan. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said last week that Islamabad has “credible intelligence” New Delhi is planning to attack Pakistan within days.
Pakistani leaders, who have already reached out to foreign capitals over India’s aggressive behavior since the Pahalgam attack, are likely to discuss with Araghchi the strained relations and with New Delhi.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
