Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Visits Pakistan Amid Regional Tensions
In April 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi embarked on a significant three-day official visit to Pakistan, marking a pivotal moment in the bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries. This visit, occurring from April 22 to April 24, was aimed at mending and strengthening ties following a period of heightened tensions and to discuss collaborative efforts in various sectors.
The backdrop of this visit was a series of escalated tensions in the region, notably the unprecedented exchange of missile strikes between Iran and Pakistan in January 2024. These strikes were the most serious incidents in years, leading to concerns about wider regional instability. Additionally, the Middle East was experiencing increased volatility due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which had broader implications for regional security.President Raisi's delegation included high-ranking officials such as Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, other cabinet members, and a substantial business delegation. During the visit, Raisi met with key Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as well as the heads of the Senate and the National Assembly. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, and connectivity. Both nations expressed a mutual desire to boost annual trade volume to $10 billion over the next five years, a significant increase from previous levels.