UNITED NATIONS, Sept 25: Pakistan has expressed its intention to further strengthen bilateral ties with Bangladesh and Iran, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Following his meeting with Rahman, Sharif described the discussions as “warm and cordial” and said the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in several areas.
According to Sharif, Pakistan and Bangladesh will work to deepen bilateral engagement in trade, investment, connectivity, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries also agreed to maintain coordination on regional and international issues, including at multilateral forums.
Sharif also congratulated Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rehman on assuming the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The meeting comes as Bangladesh seeks to expand its engagement with countries including Pakistan and China, while its relations with neighbouring India remain strained.
Sharif, Pezeshkian Discuss Regional Situation
During his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sharif said Pakistan and Iran reaffirmed their longstanding ties and expressed a desire to expand cooperation across areas of mutual interest.
The two leaders also discussed the evolving regional situation.
Sharif said Pakistan remains concerned about the prolonged conflict in the region and called for restraint, de-escalation and sustained diplomatic efforts.
He said Pakistan would continue building on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and maintain what he described as a constructive role in efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
Sharif also highlighted the importance of close coordination between Pakistan and Iran on regional issues and said he valued Pezeshkian’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Engagement
The meeting with Pezeshkian came days after Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran for talks with Iranian officials as Islamabad continued its diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States.
Pakistan has sought to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington amid the continuing standoff. Islamabad has also been involved in efforts linked to an interim peace arrangement, which Pakistan signed as a guarantor.
However, the diplomatic process has faced setbacks amid renewed military escalation involving the two sides.
Sharif’s meetings with the Bangladeshi and Iranian leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly reflect Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional diplomatic and economic engagement.
