TEHRAN - In a bid to enhance bilateral defense ties, Pakistan and Iran are seeking to jointly manufacture defense equipment, Iran’s top military official said during his visit to Pakistan this week.

General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, head of the Iranian armed forces, made these remarks following his meeting with Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad on Tuesday. He arrived in Islamabad on Monday on an official visit.

According to reports, the two sides discussed issues of mutual concern and pledged to further strengthen bilateral defense ties. Iran and Pakistan share 1000-kilometer long border.

Among the issues that came up for discussion during the meeting include military education, pilot training, military drills and contacts between the two countries’ defense industries, according to reports. 

General Baqeri said that Iran and Pakistan should enhance their military ties to boost regional stability. The two countries, he stressed, are working to jointly manufacture defense equipment.

He also said that the United States seeks to create instability and undermine security in the region.

During his visit, General Baqeri also held talks with the chief of Pakistani naval staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. The two officials discussed ways to boost maritime cooperation between the two countries and increase joint naval exercises.

He also held talks with his Pakistani counterpart General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat and Foreign Minister Abdullah Hussain Haroon, according to reports.