Islamabad: Relations with Iran pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy / Indian PM: Rely on domestic production

Pars Today – A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is our brother and that maintaining long-standing ties with this neighboring country is a cornerstone of Islamabad’s foreign policy.

This news package from Pars Today covers Pakistan’s emphasis on strategic relations with Iran, Bangladeshi clerics’ visit to Kabul, a meeting between the foreign ministers of India and the United States, and the Indian Prime Minister’s call for citizens to rely on domestic production.

Pakistan emphasizes close ties with Iran

Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized in his weekly press briefing in Islamabad that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a very close friend and partner of Pakistan, a brotherly neighbor, and a highly important country in the region. According to Pars Today, he added: “We are determined to maintain these centuries-old ties with Iran, which constitute a cornerstone of Islamabad’s foreign policy.”

The Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson also stressed that his country will continue to play its role in supporting diplomacy and helping to ease tensions in the current regional situation.

Bangladeshi clerics visit Kabul; human rights and religious cooperation at center of discussions

A high-level delegation of prominent Bangladeshi clerics has arrived in Kabul at the invitation of the Taliban to hold consultations on human rights and religious cooperation. The delegation, consisting of seven Islamic leaders, is scheduled to meet with the head of the judiciary, several cabinet ministers, senior clerics, and top Taliban officials. The visit aims to strengthen religious and diplomatic ties, review human rights and women’s rights issues, and expand cooperation in trade, education, and healthcare.

Indian, U.S. FMs to meet on sidelines of UNGA

India’s Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his U.S. counterpart on Monday on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. This will be their first in-person meeting following a recent escalation in trade tensions between India and the United States. The tensions arose after President Donald Trump imposed heavy tariffs (totaling 50 percent) on Indian imports due to India’s purchase of Russian oil.

The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen and improve India-U.S. relations. Earlier in 2025, the two officials had met twice (in January and July) during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meetings in Washington.

Indian PM: Set aside foreign products

According to Reuters, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the people of his country to stop using foreign products amid trade tensions with the United States and to rely on domestic production. He said, “Many of the products we use daily are made abroad, but we are not aware of it. We must set these products aside.”

Modi also called on shopkeepers to focus on selling Indian-made products, noting that this would boost the country’s economic growth. These remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a 50 percent tariff on imports from India.