With having an about 1000 km-long common border, the two neighboring, friendly and brotherly countries of Iran and Pakistan have countless opportunities and potentials for expansion of bilateral relations. Yet, the volume of trade between the two countries is not in conformity with these opportunities and potentials.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, for making use of these potentials, has adopted ‘neighbors first’ as its foreign policy, wherein a special preference has been given to the promotion and development of relations with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in all fields including trade, culture, people-to-people exchanges, diplomacy and security.
Vigorous promotion of border diplomacy with Pakistan is one of the most important parts of the ‘neighbors first’ policy of Iran. It is in line with this policy that the two countries have always put up joint and commendable efforts for the opening of border crossings and security of their common borders. Today, the expanded borders between Iran and Pakistan have become a golden opportunity and potential for their economic blossoming and people-to-people ties.
The inauguration of the Rimdan-Gabd border can be termed as the first step towards the implementation of the two countries’ border diplomacy. This border which is going to bring a huge economic advantage for the two countries serves as a window to further development of trade and people-to-people exchanges between Iran and Pakistan. For facilitating these exchanges, Iran has so far allotted a sum of more than four million dollars and land with an area of more than 6000 hectares for the development of infrastructure for the Rimdan border, so that the two countries could accrue a maximum benefit from this border only 130 kilometers away from the Chabahar port of Iran.
Iran has provided very good technical equipment for this border, especially for trading in cattle and fruits and vegetables, and is also trying to provide at the earliest possible time all necessary facilities for trade in other goods such as construction materials. One of the main features of this border is the availability of all necessary equipment for the export of mangoes from Pakistan to Iran. Thus, from now on, the export of Pakistani mangoes which are very popular in Iran would become much easier. On the whole, Iran is trying to turn this border into one of international standard at the earliest.
These facilities as well as the proximity of this border to the Iranian Port of Chabahar provide for the Pakistani traders a unique opportunity for easy and profitable access to markets in Iran, Mideast countries, Turkey and the Persian Gulf and European countries. Iranian traders will also benefit from this border in getting access to the huge Pakistani and Chinese markets.
Furthermore, the Rimdan-Gabd border will play a significant role in reducing the land traveling time between the two countries, which on its part may become an important factor for the growth of people-to-people exchanges.
As is obvious from such cooperation, Iran and Pakistan firmly believe that the development of trading infrastructure at their common borders is in the interest of their security, stability and welfare, as well as that of the region. The visit of the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Islamabad and the official inauguration of the Rimdan-Gabd border at the peak of the corona pandemic is a sign of this common belief.
Treading on this very path, the two countries are willing to open more border crossings, which through enhancement of bilateral trade and exchanges will certainly bring welfare and job for the local border communities, ultimately resulting in the reduction of border insecurity.
I look forward to further development of Iran-Pakistan ties through the vigorous promotion of their border diplomacy, particularly a speedy opening of the Pishin-Mand border.
Ahmad Mohammadi
Consul General
Islamic Republic of Iran
Karachi.
