Iranian President Masood Pageiyan has announced to strengthen friendship with Islamabad in his first visit to Pakistan. During this visit, there were several important agreements between Pakistan and Iran to increase trade and technical cooperation. Under this, Pakistani traders will now be able to send goods to Europe and Russia by the ground route of Iran. According to experts, this will be a faster and affordable option than on sea ships.
It is believed that this supply will be through the International North-South Transport Corridor (Instc), which starts from Mumbai port of India and goes to Russia and Europe via Iran. India and Russia are developing this corridor together, in which the Chabahar Port manufactured by India will have a central role.
China’s eye on connecting CPEC with Instc
China also wants to connect its CPEC project with the Instc so that its impact can increase further to Central Asia and Gulf countries. China wants to reduce its dependence on Malacca Strait, where the military presence of India and America is strong. China can give a strategic edge with this possible connection.
Target to take business up to $ 10 billion
Iran and Pakistan have decided that they will increase mutual trade from $ 3 billion to $ 10 billion. This decision is being considered a big step towards giving new heights to the economic relations of both countries.
Pakistan’s dual strategy
To welcome the Iranian President, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif himself broke the protocol and reached Noor Khan Airbase. This is part of Pakistan’s strategic efforts, so that it wants to strengthen the relationship with Iran, making America happy. Apart from this, Pakistan wants Iran to control Baloch rebels working from its area, about which Pakistan claims that they get support from India.
Consent on Islamabad-Tehran-Estambul rail route
The 6,540 km long rail line has been agreed between Pakistan and Iran to Istanbul in Turkey via Tehran to Tehran. This journey will now be completed in only 10 days, which used to take 21 days from the first sea route.
The division of the railroad is as follows – 1990 km in Pakistan, 2603 km in Iran and 1950 km in Türkiye. This project started in 2009 but has not been completed yet. Now there is a plan to activate it again.
Danger bell for India – link to Gwadar and Chabahar
Pakistan is planning to connect Gwadar and Chabahar Port. Chabahar Port is built by India, while Gwadar is a project of China. Pakistan has proposed to connect the Iranian President with the silk route and has also negotiated on the Gwadar-fourth maritime trade. China is also building a naval base at Gwadar Port, which may increase security -related threats for India.