Sharif’s regional tour ...
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As part of measures to facilitate trade, the two sides can rev up border markets, and boost connectivity through rail, maritime, and air transport. As far as border markets are concerned, security becomes an important issue, which can be addressed through bringing economic prosperity. In fact, economic development brings about security, and the two are somehow inter-related. If local populations in border regions benefit from legitimate economic opportunities, the appeal of groups working to sabotage security will dry up.
Of course, regional diplomacy has its own challenges. Some nations may feel threatened by bilateral ties between neighboring states and may attempt to muscle in or undercut existing arrangements. Nevertheless, in case of Pakistan and Iran, the political will in both Islamabad and Tehran is so strong that it rises above such maneuvering.
When it comes to the issues of the Islamic world, the cooperation between Iran and Pakistan proves to be fruitful as well. Both are key members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and share common concerns on the most pressing issue of the Muslim world, which is Palestine, and particularly Gaza, where the Israeli war has been ongoing for nearly 19 months now.
Tehran-Islamabad cooperation on Gaza can set an example for other countries, and can be inspiring for other aligned countries to amplify their collective voice against aggressive policies of Israel in order to bring an end to them and stop the suffering of the Palestinian people.