Tensions between Pakistan and Iran

Iran and Pakistan are the two neighboring countries that share more than 900 kilometers of border. The two countries have many mutual geopolitical, cultural, and religious interests, but at the same time going through difficulties.

Issues related to the human trafficking, narcotics, fight against terrorism and relations with China and sectarian problems are among the commonalities in relations between Tehran and Islamabad.

From a security perspective, the two sides have found themselves in an uncomfortable and unenviable position, and have been facing intricacy on the bordering areas. Militant groups are still regarded as a big threat to both the countries, and both capitals have consensus on the fight against terrorist groups, but yet to be succeeded in this regard.

Both countries have always complained about border insecurity and it has deteriorated in the last few months. Several border incidents happened, highlighting the need for both sides to take steps towards common ground to accelerate their security cooperation.

Iran and Pakistan also engage in trade activities and both are doing business through three border crossings. The two countries’ central banks signed a banking and payment agreement in 2017 and expanded their financial cooperation. Iran and Pakistan are also looking toward increasing its bilateral trade to five billion dollars by the end of this year 2023.

Challenges and border insecurity

Changing geopolitical dynamics are not new to the South West Asia region, and relations between Iran and Pakistan have also shifted in recent years, especially after some border incidents. Illegal immigration and risk of sectarian fault lines also continue to be main points of contention between the duo.

In a recent incident, four Pakistani soldiers were killed after their convoy came under attack from rebels across the border with Iran in the restive Balochistan province on Wednesday. This is the latest incident of cross-border clashes.

Four Pakistani security personnel were killed when rebels launched an attack from “Iranian soil”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Army’s media wing, these security forces were killed during a “terrorist activity” from across the Pakistan-Iran border in Balochistan’s Panjgur district.

The statement said that the firing took place in the Chukab sector near the border where the soldiers were patrolling along the border.

“Militants used Iranian soil to target a convoy of security forces patrolling along the border,” Pakistan army said, calling on its neighbor Iran to hunt down the terrorists on their side.

In the past, the border at Taftan and Panjgur was closed after clashes between protesters and security forces. Similarly, two incidents took place in 2021 as well.

There has been no claim of responsibility for Wednesday’s attack so far.

Officials meeting

The officials of the two sides have made high-profile visits several times but failed to address the core issues. Indeed, Iran is a little careful with its relations with Pakistan due to its ties with the US and Saudi Arabia, the two countries where Tehran has many difficulties.

In August last year, a Pakistani Air Force delegation and Pakistan Air and Naval attaché at Tehran were reportedly subjected to harassment and intimidation. Based on several reports, when the Pakistani attaché protested, his phone was also seized by the Iranian officials.

Another point of contention is that Iran is accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorist organizations like Jaish al Adl, which has been engaged in anti-Iran activities. Repeated incursions on the border sides and Pakistan’s engagement in fencing the border with Iranian territory have remained a sour point in the ties between the two countries.

Last year, Iran’s Interior Ministry Ahmad Vahidi arrived in Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad for a one day official meeting and publically the two sides called the meeting positive and productive. But at the same time many news came out in which Pakistani sides warned Iran and accused Tehran for letting the Balch insurgent to its soil against Pakistan and warned them to take decisive action against them. Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province that borders both Iran and Afghanistan, and is regularly targeted by Islamist militants, sectarian groups and nationalist separatists.

But they are good neighbors

Pakistan and Iran indeed have bilateral relations rooted in historical linkages and based on religious, linguistic, and cultural linkages. The relation between them has remained very positive and Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan after its independence. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran, Pakistan was also one of the first countries to recognize the new dispensation.

The two sides have also supported each other in different times and Tehran and Islamabad also seemed interested in growing positivity and desire to work together and engage in different projects, especially in energy and gas.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Iran for a two-day official visit during his tenure in 2019, and it was deemed fruitful to enhance mutual understanding on a range of issues in political, economic and security areas.

The visit helped in setting a clear policy direction for durable, mutually-beneficial relations with Iran, but the new Prime Minister is yet to visit Iran.

Meanwhile, the two countries are working together at expert level to improve road and rail connectivity as well as upgradation of 700 kilometer Quetta-Taftan highway. The Pakistan-Iran border has been named “Border of Peace, Friendship and Love” by the leadership of both countries in an attempt  to improve the ties.