Partnership between Chabahar and Gwadar

The Spokesperson and Additional Foreign Secretary of Pakistan has emphasized the enduring brotherly relations between Tehran and Islamabad and expressed Pakistan's readiness to expand bilateral cooperation with Iran, including the signing of an agreement to further the partnership between the ports of Chabahar in Iran and Gwadar in Pakistan.

During the weekly press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra addressed the recent 10-year agreement signed between India and Iran concerning Chabahar port on May 13, and the subsequent reaction from the United States. 

Zahra clarified that Pakistan refrains from commenting on Iran's agreements with other countries and does not engage in discussions about the positions of third parties.

The agreement between India and Iran aims to facilitate the long-term development of the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar port, with operations managed by a subsidiary of India Global Ports Limited (IGPL). The Indian firm plans to invest US$120 million in equipping the terminal, and India has also extended a credit line of US$250 million to improve infrastructure around Chabahar.

Following the agreement, the US issued a warning that entities involved in business deals with Iran could face sanctions. US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel highlighted the potential risks associated with engaging in commercial activities with Iran.

Zahra also underscored the significance of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Pakistan in April, describing it as a pivotal moment for bilateral cooperation. 

President Raisi's visit, accompanied by a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, included key meetings with Pakistani officials. 

During his two-day stay in Islamabad, President Raisi set an ambitious target of US$10 billion in bilateral trade, emphasizing the 900-kilometer shared border as a valuable opportunity for the development and prosperity of border areas.