It created some waves as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Pakistan drew a lot of attention, with discussions on the regional relations Iran has to maintain. President Raisi embarked upon a three-day trip to Islamabad to enhance and reinforce her nation’s bonds and ties with its neighboring country.
Nevertheless, the joint press conference then held in the presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was aborted because the former failed to gather the support of the Iranian side on the Kashmir dispute.
During his press conference, Shehbaz Sharif established a link between Iran’s position on the situation in Gaza and the Kashmir Issue, appreciating Raisi’s honesty in dealing with Kashmir, which is of utmost importance to Pakistan.
Moreover, President Raisi missed the opportunity to include Kashmir in his speech by omitting any reference to this mentioned action. In contrast, he emphasized Iranian support of the fighters fighting against oppression, specifically in Palestine, which shows the country’s democratic belief.
This provoked the Iranians because the Prime Minister must be given the respect that he is due, and this showed that the Iranian’s tightrope-walking act to manage relationships with India was failing.
Palatestine issue has been amongst the primary items of the latest agreements between Delhi and Tehran, which adds to our perception about Iran’s view of this region.
The first visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan not only comes after the two states undertook a pounding of suspected terrorist camps on their respective lands but also signals their joint efforts at the improvement of their diplomatic relationship.
Along with this, it also symbolizes an important instance since President Raisi became the first foreign leader to visit Pakistan in the aftermath of its controversial general elections held in February.
