Iranian and Pakistani leaders vow to boost trade in a meeting seeking to mend a diplomatic rift [Video]

ISLAMABAD – Iranian and Pakistani leaders agreed to strengthen economic and security cooperation in a meeting on Monday that sought to smooth over a diplomatic rift between the countries.

Ties between Iran and Pakistan were strained in January when each carried out strikes in other’s territory, targeting militants accused of attacking their own security forces.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifin and other officials as part of his three-day visit to Pakistan. Authorities deployed hundreds of additional police and paramilitary forces to ensure security during the visit.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent months, mostly blamed on Pakistani Taliban and insurgents targeting security forces in Pakistan and neighboring Iran.

According to a statement following their meeting, the two leaders discussed a range of bilateral issues and vowed to cooperate to fight terrorism. They also reiterated their condemnations of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

Sharif praised Iran’s …