Source: Indian Express
Subject: International relations
Topic: International Relations and Terrorism
Issue: Pakistan Iran relation
Why in news: Iran and Pakistan have attacked militant bases in each other’s territory, but also reaffirmed their commitment to good neighbourly ties.
- Recently the relationship between Iran and Pakistan has taken serious hits after they have attacked militant bases in each other’s territory.
Relationship between Iran and Pakistan:
- A) Phase I (before 1979 (Islamic revolution of Iran)):
- Both countries were firmly allied to the United States ,
- In 1955, both joined the Baghdad Pact, later known as the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), a military alliance modelled on NATO.
- Iran provided material and weapons support to Pakistan during its 1965 and 1971 wars against India.
- The Shah of Iran criticized the liberation of Bangladesh.
- B) Phase-II (After 1979 Islamic revolution of Iran)
- The two countries found themselves at opposite ends of the sectarian divide.
- Geopolitical differences also emerged.
- There were attempt to reconcile with Iran during Benazir Bhutto’s(1995) and Asif Ali Zardari’s regime.
(Image Courtesy-BBC)
Common Baloch problem between Iran and Pakistan:
- Iran-Pakistan share 909 Kilometer long border along Goldsmith Line.
- Ethnic Baloch live on either side of the line, in the Pakistani province of Balochistan, and the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
- And some population aslo live in the neighboring areas of Afghanistan in the north.
- Baloch share cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious links that transcend modern borders.
- They also nurse deeply rooted grievances against both the Pakistani and Iranian states.
- Iran and Pakistan have earlier cooperated to combat the Baloch insurgency.
- At the same time, the insurgency has been a source of tension, with the two countries accusing each other of harboring and supporting terrorists.
Conclusion:
- India has described the strikes as the matter between the two countries.
- At the same time India has mentioned its uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
