GCC unveils vision for regional security

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has launched its Vision for Regional Security during a ceremony at the group's General Secretariat in Riyadh. This landmark initiative, presented by Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, signifies a profound commitment to ethical values and unity, aiming to build a hopeful and prosperous future for the region.

The Vision for Regional Security, highlighted by Albudaiwi as more than just a political commitment, is founded on the principles of dialogue, cooperation, coordination, and respect for diverse perspectives. These principles are deemed essential for confronting challenges and ensuring the common security upon which the GCC's aspirations for a better future are based.

The ceremony, attended by senior officials from the foreign ministries of GCC countries, diplomats, and experts, marks a pivotal step toward achieving international security and peace.

The GCC's dedication to tackling political, security, and economic challenges both regionally and globally was reiterated, emphasizing the importance of collective action and sincere will in establishing lasting peace.

Albudaiwi outlined the vision's strategic objectives, which focus on preserving regional security, ensuring stability and prosperity, promoting international peace, and fostering economic and environmental sustainability. The vision comprises several pillars, including security and stability, economic development, and environmental and climate change, addressing a wide array of challenges from geopolitical shifts to cultural and social issues.

This vision represents a call to action for all parties to collaborate toward a secure and prosperous future, reinforcing the GCC's role as a reliable partner in political, security, and economic spheres on the global stage.

Iran-India committed to strengthen relations

India and Iran have stated their unwavering commitment to fostering better ties in many areas of cooperation. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iranian Foreign Minister, stated that senior officials from both nations are committed to strengthening their relations at a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Vinay Kwatra in Tehran.

Kwatra pointed out that the Indian government is adamant about deepening its ties with Iran and that it expects that via working together, the two nations’ economic ties would grow in a number of areas, such as traditional medicine, agriculture, and fishing.

The Indian diplomat expressed New Delhi’s commitment to sending humanitarian help to the Palestinian people while applauding Iran’s leadership position in West Asia.

Expressing satisfaction with the political consultations between the two countries, he said, “The Indian government, at the highest levels, is firmly determined to enhance relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Earlier, the Indian foreign secretary attended the 18th round of political consultations between Iran and India.

A broad range of political, economic, and consular matters, as well as regional and global trends, were covered during the four-hour meeting. The agenda for the future phase of the two nations’ relations was also discussed at the conference.

In a phone conversation in August, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations, mutual cooperation and the realization of the full potential of Chabahar Port.

Raisi stated that Iran and India should increase their cooperation in the areas of transportation and energy security.

The Iranian president emphasized the need for increased dialogue along the North-South Corridor.

“Iran seeks to strengthen regional convergence and develop economic relations with all countries across the globe, particularly those in Asia, in this regard,” Raisi noted.

The president remarked that historical similarities between Iran and India provide solid justification for the development of ties at all levels.

For his part, the Indian prime minister praised long-term collaboration with Iran. India, he asserted, was prepared to complete the necessary paperwork for the project’s completion.

The Indian prime minister was quoted by the ministry as saying that the relationship between Tehran and New Delhi is underpinned by close historical and civilization connections, including strong people-to-people contacts.

 

Resumption of Saudi Iran ties pivotal for regional security

Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has affirmed Saudi Arabia's desire to strengthen bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and his country's keenness to discuss ways to activate agreements between the two countries.

Addressing a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Riyadh on Thursday, Prince Faisal said the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran marked a pivotal moment for regional security.

Amir-Abdollahian’s visit to Riyadh follows the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran, brokered by China in March, after seven years of no formal ties.

"Within the framework of the implementation of the agreement, the missions of both countries have resumed their work, and so have the ambassadors-designate," Prince Faisal said.

Prince Faisal said that the Kingdom is keen to activate security and economic agreements that were inked with Iran. He also conveyed Saudi Arabia’s gratitude to Iran for its support of the Kingdom’s bid to host World Expo 2030.

For his part, Amir-Abdollahian described the discussions in Riyadh fruitful. He said that the Islamic Republic values the role Saudi Arabia plays in the region, adding that the two countries can work together to resolve lingering regional issues.

Amir-Abdollahian said that relations with Saudi Arabia were moving in the right direction and stressed that his country was determined to strengthen relations with the Kingdom.

He added that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Saudi Arabia soon.

Prince Faisal had made a landmark visit to Tehran in June, where he met with Amir-Abdollahian and President Ebrahim Raisi.

Under the deal signed in March, Riyadh and Tehran agreed to reopen embassies and consulates in each other’s territories and implement security and economic cooperation agreements that were signed over 20 years ago.

Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 following an attack on its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad. 

Commander Pakistan Navy visits Tehran

Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Commander Pakistan Navy, visited Tehran on Saturday and was officially welcomed by his Iranian counterpart Shahram Irani. Admiral Niazi is visiting Iran upon the official invitation of the Iranian Navy commander.

The two commanders discussed a range of issues including expanding military relations, deepening ties in the sea, protecting regional security, and using military experience in undertaking missions and safeguarding the two neighboring countries’ national interests at the sea.

On the sideline of the meeting, Iranian and Pakistani navy commanders also paid tribute to the anonymous martyrs of the eight-year Sacred Defense buried in the National Museum of the Islamic Revolution and Holy Defense and then made a tour at the museum.

Iran refers to resistance against the invading Saddam Army in the 1980s as Sacred Defense.

Admiral Irani said that Iran and Pakistan could serve together as a powerful arm for ensuring regional security. 
  
Referring to strategic relations between the naval forces of Iran and Pakistan, the commander said that the two forces have staged different joint naval maneuvers over the past years.

He also called for efforts by the naval forces of both countries to establish security, particularly in the Northern Indian Ocean.

Iranian and Pakistani naval forces have in recent years promoted cooperation and staged several joint drills in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman.

In April, a flotilla of the Pakistani Navy berthed at Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas and held a joint war game in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman with the Iranian units.

The Pakistani Navy commander is scheduled to visit Iran’s northern fleet deployed at coasts of the Caspian Sea.