TEHRAN – Iran and Pakistan have agreed to work towards the establishment of full security along common borders and improve bilateral military cooperation by holding joint naval drills, Iran’s top military commander said Saturday.
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Baqeri made the remarks in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) at the end of his official four-day visit to Pakistan.
He said Iran and Pakistan have agreed to improve security along common borders and made great efforts to create border barriers, control border traffic, fight drugs smuggling and human trafficking and combat other factors causing insecurity at borders.
“Today, fortunately, the common border between the two countries is much safer than in the past,” the top commander said.
Baqeri also said the two countries agree to hold joint naval drills either in Pakistan’s waters or in Iran’s southern waters in the future.
He noted that Pakistan would attend joint maritime exercises by Iran, Russia and China, which have been held since two years ago.
Baqeri, who toured some of Pakistan’s defense and military production centers in Islamabad, said the two countries agreed to share experience in the fields of aircraft and tank manufacturing.
He emphasized that Tehran and Islamabad have good cooperation on intelligence exchange and devised strategies to further strengthen such interaction through the exchange of visits among their Armed Forces officials, “which is expected to play a leading role in fighting terrorism along borders.”
The top Iranian commander also pointed to the latest developments in Afghanistan and said the “irresponsible” withdrawal of the American forces from the country has caused numerous problems and led to a power vacuum.
Baqeri emphasized that economic issues in Afghanistan, the flow of refugees, insecurity and other serious problems that the Daesh terrorist group may create would have impacts on both Iran and Pakistan.
He said he held detailed talks with Pakistan’s military and political officials on Afghanistan, adding that

the sides stressed the importance of the establishment of a sustainable political system in the crisis-hit country with the participation of all groups.
Tasnim news agency said Iranian and Pakistani military commanders also agreed to cooperate in manufacturing military vessels and submarine maintenance.
In a visit to Pakistan Navy’s shipyards in the port city of Karachi on Friday, General Bageri was briefed on the process of building warships, boats and submarines.
Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Baqeri arrived in Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Wednesday for talks on promotion of ties.