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Pakistan pursues military diplomacy expansion with Iran

Recent high-level meetings between Iranian and Pakistani officials have focused on strengthening ties between the neighbors and fostering better relations in the region.

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan (L) hold a joint press conference after their meeting at Sa'dabad Palace Complex in Tehran, Iran, Oct. 13, 2019. — IRANIAN PRESIDENCY / HANDOUT/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

After arriving in Tehran earlier this month, Pakistan's army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, met with the Iranian civil and military hierarchy to extend the scope of bilateral relations and consolidate security arrangements.

Since Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed office in August 2018, there has been special focus on renewing trust and upgrading relations with close allies. Furthering Khan's peace efforts in the region, Bajwa is also pursuing military diplomacy and this was his second visit this year to Iran.

Within just one year, the direction and focus of Pakistan-Iran ties has completely changed.

When Khan visited Iran early this year, it was to solve bilateral issues, rebuild trust and bring an end to the ongoing terror attacks carried out from both sides of the Pakistan-Iran border.

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