Iran-Pakistan security ...
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From Pakistan’s perspective, the confidence and experience built bilaterally can usefully inform ECO-level cooperation, but in a gradual and technical manner. Islamabad would be receptive to thematic working groups under ECO, for instance on border management, counter-narcotics, cyber issues, maritime safety and disaster response. This would remain consistent with ECO’s mandate and the diverse partnerships of its members.
Given Pakistan’s defense ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, can ECO serve as a neutral platform to bring members who are sometimes on opposite sides of regional equations closer together on security issues?
Pakistan’s security and defence relationships with both Iran and Saudi Arabia are anchored in a consistent policy of avoiding involvement in intra-Muslim disputes and encouraging dialogue and de-escalation. While Persian Gulf Arab states are not members of ECO, developments in the ECO region inevitably interact with Persian Gulf security through energy flows, trade routes and investment corridors.
In this sense, Pakistan sees ECO as part of a wider stabilising architecture in its neighbourhood. A more integrated ECO space that is focused on trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges can help reduce polarisation and offer all partners, including Persian Gulf states, more reliable economic and logistical options.
Araghchi described ECO as potentially one of the most dynamic emerging regions of the Global South. What concrete role can Pakistan play with its unique links to Iran, China, and Persian Gulf states in making this vision a reality?
Pakistan is geographically central to ECO’s connectivity ambitions. It links the Arabian Sea and the approaches to the Persian Gulf with Central Asia, western China and, through Turkey, Europe. This gives Pakistan a natural role as one of the key implementing states of ECO’s vision.
Concretely, Pakistan can help in several ways. It can work to align ECO’s priority projects with corridors already under development, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. That would allow exporters and investors from Iran, Central Asia and Turkey to tap into Chinese and global markets via Pakistan’s ports.
Pakistan can also build on the practical steps already taken with Iran, such as opening border markets and improving road links, and encouraging their expansion under ECO branding. This would showcase ECO’s ability to deliver visible benefits on the ground.
In addition, Islamabad can use its diplomatic channels with Persian Gulf partners to attract more investment into ECO-based logistics, warehousing, energy and industrial projects, positioning ECO as a land bridge between the Persian Gulf and Eurasia. Finally, Pakistan can be an advocate within ECO for regulatory harmonisation, modern transit agreements, digital customs, e-commerce facilitation and mutual recognition of standards, which are relatively low-cost measures but can significantly boost intra-ECO trade and investment.
As Iran seeks greater “eastern strategic depth,” how big a connector and facilitator can Pakistan become for energy, infrastructure, and transport projects across the ECO region?
Iran’s search for greater “eastern strategic depth” coincides with Pakistan’s own shift towards a geo-economic outlook. Both countries support connectivity projects that link Persian Gulf energy and industrial output with South Asia, Central Asia and western China.
Pakistan can play a meaningful connecting role in three areas. In energy, Pakistan and Iran already cooperate on cross-border electricity, and there is long-standing discussion around gas pipeline options.
In infrastructure and transport, Pakistan can help tie Iranian ports and special economic zones to CPEC routes and to Central Asian Road and rail networks, improving access in both directions. Recent joint steps to address logistics bottlenecks and facilitate border trade are encouraging signals.
Lastly, Pakistan’s experience in areas such as digitalisation of customs, the use of the TIR system and public-private partnership models can be shared within ECO to support the financing and operation of large projects. In all these sectors, Pakistan favours inclusive frameworks that are open to participation by interested extra-regional partners under transparent and rules-based conditions.
What are the main political or structural obstacles that still prevent Iran-Pakistan security cooperation from becoming institutionalized at the ECO level and how can they be overcome?
Several political and structural factors shape how far Iran-Pakistan security cooperation can be undertaken within the ECO framework. Some are external. The international sanctions environment around Iran makes financial and technological cooperation more complex, even when the focus is on training or capacity-building. The wider regional setting is also delicate. Parts of the ECO region, particularly around Afghanistan, continue to face instability. This naturally encourages some member states to move with caution on any initiative that might be read as different.
There are also internal considerations. ECO was originally created as an economic and development organisation. Its institutions and resources reflect that mandate. At the same time, member states have different external partnerships and varying levels of mutual confidence. This can slow consensus on more ambitious ideas in the security domain.
From Pakistan’s perspective, the way forward is to proceed in a measured, transparent and clearly defined manner. A practical first step is to concentrate on areas that are widely viewed as non-controversial and mutually beneficial. Examples include border management, disaster relief, counter-narcotics, cyber hygiene and the protection of trade corridors. All such efforts would need to remain fully consistent with international law and relevant UN decisions, and coordinated with other regional organisations to avoid duplication.
If ECO can show steady progress in these technical areas, it will help build trust among members. Over time, this can create more space for Iran-Pakistan cooperation, within ECO, to be seen as a supportive contribution to regional stability and resilience rather than as a move against any other state.