Calling border security a “common concern”, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi that greater cooperation is needed to tackle the challenges at the borders. 

The 909 km long border that Iran and Pakistan share is infested with criminal gangs, cross-border smugglers, militants. This remained a key dispute between the two nations. 

“Security is a common concern of the two countries, and the development of relations in this regard is imperative,” Rouhani’s office issued a statement after his meeting with Qureshi.

Security forces of the two nations often come under attacks by criminals and insurgents operating from each other's territory. Recently, Iranian forces had claimed to have conducted a surgical strike deep inside Pakistani territory to free an abducted Iranian soldier- a claim denied by Pakistan. 

The two nations have recently enacted a few border mechanisms to jointly tackle the challenges at the border, however, the two sides are still far from developing enough trust to address all challenges. 

On the regional situation in Afghanistan, where the countries often have divergent interests, Rouhani said, “Iran and Pakistan, as two most important and effective neighboring countries of Afghanistan, should increase cooperation and interaction for the development of the peace process in the country.”

However, He added the presence of US troops in the region has not helped improve the security and stability in the region.