🕊️ Tragic Demise:
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met an untimely end in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024. The charred wreckage of the helicopter was found in the remote, mountainous Dizmar Protected Area in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. The accident occurred while he was returning from Iran’s border with Azerbaijan, where he had inaugurated a cooperative dam project with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The crash has left a void in Iran’s political landscape, and the world mourns the loss of a prominent leader.
🤝 Bilateral Relations with Pakistan:
Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Pakistan in April 2024 aimed to strengthen ties between the two neighboring nations. Despite historical tensions, both countries sought to mend relations. Here are key points about Iran-Pakistan relations:
Religious Confluence and Differences:
Both Iran and Pakistan share membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), uniting them through their common religious identity.
While they cooperate on critical issues affecting the Islamic world, the Sunni-Shi’a divide has caused divergence.
Pakistan’s national identity has shifted over time, emphasizing Sunni Islam, while Iran’s focus remains on Shi’ism.
Border Tensions and Skirmishes:
The 900-kilometer-long border between Iran and Pakistan has witnessed cordial relations interspersed with tensions.
Religious differences, opposing stances on the Taliban, the Baloch insurgency, and skirmishes around border areas have contributed to rocky relations.
However, both nations have taken steps to de-escalate tensions and improve bilateral ties.
Recent Diplomatic Efforts:
President Raisi’s visit aimed to boost economic, border, and energy ties.
The two sides discussed trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts.
Iran’s strategic thinkers recognize Pakistan’s role in the ongoing conflict with Israel and sought expressions of support from Islamabad.
In summary, Ebrahim Raisi’s tragic demise leaves a void in Iran’s leadership, while his diplomatic efforts aimed to strengthen ties with Pakistan. May his soul rest in peace, and may the bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan continue to evolve positively.
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