Iran offers to mediate between Pakistan, India on Kashmir

By Sajjad HussainnnISLAMABAD: Iran has said it is willing to mediate between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir issue if requested as any conflict between the two nations will impact upon the economies of other countries in the region.nnIranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost said his country was ready to use its special influence and relations with Pakistan and India to mediate on the Kashmir issue and help bring sustainable peace in the region, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.nn”Iranian government has announced its readiness for any support, for any hope of peace and tranquility in the region,” Honardoost was quoted as saying by the APP.nn”We have not yet received any official request from both sides for Iran as a large country in the region to come and try to solve the matter,” the envoy said.nnHe said any conflict, or tension between the two countries would hinder the way of progress and development of both countries but would also impact upon the economies of the other countries in the region.nnIt is important to remove such tensions to ensure sustainable and durable peace in the region, he added.nnHe said it may be true that some forces wanted such tensions to find excuses for its engagements in our region.nn”We hope that the wise leaders of the conflicting countries pay attention to this issue that a lot of problems that we face in this region have exogenous sources,” he added.nnResponding to a question, the ambassador said, right now terrorism is a global phenomenon. “It’s not located only in one area or in one country, and it is the consequence of the approach of the super powers towards terrorism,” he said.nnCommenting on Pak-Iran trade ties, Honardoost said that a Free Trade Agreement draft has been signed between the two sides and it will soon be operative to enhance two-way business and trade engagements.nn”Our future is bright after the removal of impediments.nnHopefully, our trade relations would continue to grow.”nnReplying to a query on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said it is a giant project with full of opportunities, not only for Pakistan and China but for all countries of the region.nnHe said the project was not only a game-changer for the region but would be a unifying force for the countries in it.nnWhen asked if Iran was interested in joining Saudi Arabia’s Islamic coalition, Honardoost said Iran has already announced its desire to join the alliance since it firmly believes that the problems being faced by the Muslim world should be resolved mutually.nn nnSource: Press Trust of India