The Hindu : International : Iran for closer ties with Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 26, 2006

International

International

Iran for closer ties with Pakistan

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has played host to three Iranian delegations in the last five days, with Iranian Vice-President Parivz Davoudi, the latest to arrive on Thursday.

During his two-day visit, Mr. Davoudi is expected to discuss political and economic issues with Pakistani leaders, including the U.S.-Iran standoff on the nuclear issue.

He is expected to meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Reaffirms support

Pakistan on Thursday reaffirmed its support for resolution of the nuclear issue through dialogue.

In discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who arrived on Wednesday, Mr. Aziz said his Government recognised Iran's right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, according to the Pakistan Government Web site. Mr. Mottaki was here for the ministerial meeting of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Commission for economic and trade relations, a day after the two countries and India held two days of talks on the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.

The talks failed to break the impasse on the pricing issue. The next meeting will take place in India in July.

Mr. Aziz told Mr. Mottaki that Pakistan was pursuing the project keeping in view its national interest.

Both leaders discussed the possibilities for expanding economic and trade relations.

He said Pakistan would build "brotherly relations" with Iran based on religious, cultural, political, historical and economic ties, and a shared interest in regional peace.

The Iranian Minister later said his Government was seeking a broad-based relationship with Pakistan.

In an interview to Pakistan Television, he said his country wanted a "comprehensive relationship with Pakistan including security co-operation."

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