ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Tuesday arrived here on a two-day visit, which Pakistan’s foreign ministry said would help in deepening bilateral cooperation and developing a better understanding of each other’s perspective on regional issues.

Mr Zarif is accompanied by senior officials, including Iran’s special envoy for Afghanistan Mohammad Ibrahim Taheriyan.

He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa during his stay in Islamabad.

The Iranian minister tweeted that he would in his meetings in Islamabad discuss bilateral and regional issues.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said that the Iranian foreign minister’s visit was part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.

This is Mr Zarif’s fourth visit to Pakistan over the last two and a half years.

This visit, the FO said, would help further deepen bilateral cooperation and enhance understanding on various regional issues.

It noted that bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran was growing and the latter had been a vocal supporter of the Kashmir cause.

This is Iranian minister’s first overseas visit after US President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in presidential elections.

A major reset of US foreign policy, especially towards Middle East and the Gulf, is expected after Mr Biden takes office in January.

There is also a possibility of US returning to the Iran nuclear deal or JCPOA, as it is known, which President Trump exited in 2018.

Pakistan has consistently supported JCPOA and encouraged efforts by parties to the agreement to salvage the deal after US departure.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2020