Iranian President Raisi, Pakistan PM Sharif Pledge Joint Effort to Combat Terrorism
Historical Background
On June 18, 2021, Ebrahim Raisi, a conservative cleric close to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was elected as Iran's eighth president. Raisi's election marked a shift away from the relatively moderate policies of his predecessor, Hassan Rouhani, and towards a more conservative, hardline approach.
Joint Commitment Against Terrorism
Months after a series of tit-for-tat air strikes between Iran and Pakistan, President Raisi and Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, met on December 14, 2023, to discuss various issues, including security and terrorism. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed on the importance of joint efforts to eradicate terrorism and extremism in the region.
Shared Concerns
Both Iran and Pakistan have been victims of terrorism, and they share a common interest in combating this threat. Raisi's commitment to eradicate terrorism is consistent with his overall hardline approach to governance, while Sharif's support for joint efforts reflects Pakistan's own concerns about terrorism and its impact on regional stability.
Challenges Ahead
While the joint pledge by Raisi and Sharif is a positive step, it remains to be seen how effective they can be in eradicating terrorism. Regional cooperation is crucial, and both Iran and Pakistan will need to work together with other countries in the region to address the root causes of terrorism.
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