The conflict between Iran and Israel rocks West Asia, as the two countries are involved in attacks and counter-attacks. Although not directly, the US has also got involved in this conflict. Amidst such a situation, Iranian President Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati (commonly known as Ebrahim Raisi) arrived in Pakistan on a three-day surprise visit on April 22, 2024. As expected, discussions about this visit have started in the world diplomatic circles.

The Pakistani media reported that Islamabad had no prior information about President Raisi’s visit. The Iranian President’s sudden visit to Pakistan has triggered curiosity across the globe as relations between the two neighbouring Asian countries are not too cordial. There was renewed tension between Iran and Pakistan in January 2024 as they got involved in attacks and counter-attacks.

On January 23 (2024), Iran launched missile and drone attacks on the base of the terrorist organisation Jaish al-Adl in the Pakistani Province of Balochistan. Later, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic Hossein Amir-Abdollahian claimed that the attack was aimed at destroying the base of the terror outfit, stressing that Jaish al-Adl was active mainly along the Iran-Pakistan border. The Iranian minister also said that the Sunni Islamic and Baluchi separatist organisation carried out a number of attacks on Iranian soil in recent times. Hence, the Iranian Armed Forces destroyed its bases in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan rejected the Iranian minister’s allegations, stating that the Iranian attacks claimed the lives of two innocent children. Within two days, Pakistan retaliated against Iran. Thereafter, the bilateral ties touched a new low.

This is why the surprise visit of the Iranian President to Pakistan is quite significant! According to Tehran, the President visited Pakistan mainly to strengthen relationships between the two neighbours. It may be noted that President Raisi, along with his wife, some of his Cabinet members and some business leaders, arrived in Islamabad on April 22. Upon his arrival, the visiting President held a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss various important bilateral, regional and global issues. The Pakistani media reported that the two leaders also discussed the economy, border crisis and energy-related issues in detail. They expressed serious concern over the current political situation in Gaza. During their meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed interest in strengthening bilateral trade ties.

The visiting Iranian President held a separate meeting with Pakistani Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah on April 23 (the second day of his trip). Later, he sent a strong warning to Israel, saying: “If any kind of aggression is carried out on Iranian territory, there will be no trace of Israel!”

Interestingly, political analysts are of the opinion that President Raisi’s visit to Pakistan is a part of Tehran’s new strategy to increase the intensity of attacks on Israel! Iran is believed to make preparations to use nuclear weapons against Israel. Hence, Tehran is seeking help from the neighbouring country to increase its nuclear stockpile.

It may be noted that President Raisi arrived in Pakistan just a day after the US House of Representatives passed a Bill on April 21, 2024 to provide substantial financial aid of around USD 26.38 billion to Israel. The aid includes USD 9.1 billion for humanitarian needs. Specifically, the allocation will see: USD 5.2 billion shall be spent on replenishing and expanding Israel’s missile and rocket defence system; USD 3.5 billion for purchasing advanced weapons systems, USD 1 billion for enhancing weapons production; USD 4.4 billion for other supplies and services to Israel; and USD 9.2 billion for humanitarian purposes, including in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

Just a day after President Raisi concluded his three-day tour of Pakistan, the US warned Islamabad about Tehran. Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State, told the media on April 24 that if Pakistan would strike a trade deal with Iran, then Islamabad would have to face economic sanctions! Such a warning may create obstacles in Pakistan’s ballistic missile development project. Addressing a press conference in Washington DC, Patel said: “Just let me say broadly, we advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions. But ultimately, the Government of Pakistan can speak to their own foreign policy pursuits.” He stressed: “We are going to continue to disrupt and take actions against proliferation networks and concerning weapons of mass destruction procurement activities, wherever they may occur.“

Like Israel, Pakistan is also a friend of the US. The Joe Biden Administration still supplies weapons to Islamabad, and the top political leadership in Pakistan is well aware of the fact that the US considers Iran as an enemy. As a result, Pakistan feels somewhat uncomfortable with the surprise visit of the Iranian President.

Now, the global community, especially the Arab World, Israel and the US, closely monitor the ties between Pakistan and Iran.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das