DHAKA – In a major diplomatic development, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dhaka over the weekend for high-level talks with top Bangladeshi officials and political leaders the most senior Pakistani visit to Bangladesh since 2012. The visit marks a turning point in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, as both nations seek to rebuild ties amid changing regional dynamics and Dhaka’s increasingly strained relationship with New Delhi.
Dar’s visit described by Islamabad as “historic” and a “significant milestone” comes at a time when the political landscape in Bangladesh has shifted dramatically following the ousting of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a popular uprising last August. Hasina, widely seen as pro-India, fled to New Delhi and currently faces serious charges back home, including accusations of crimes against humanity. Bangladesh’s interim leadership, under Muhammad Yunus, has since taken steps to recalibrate foreign policy, including moves to reduce dependence on India.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
During his multi-day trip, Dar met with several senior Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions focused on enhancing trade, investment, and regional connectivity. Talks also touched on the revival and strengthening of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Dar and Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, who was already in Dhaka, held meetings on Sunday with Bangladeshi officials to finalize a series of bilateral agreements expected to be signed later that day. These include memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on trade facilitation, investment promotion, and economic collaboration. Notably, the two countries began government-to-government sea trade in 2024, which has expanded significantly since February this year.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have also eased visa restrictions in recent days to facilitate people-to-people contact. Reports from The Daily Star suggest that both governments are now exploring the launch of direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi, with local airlines awaiting final approvals.
Political Outreach and Regional Realignment
Dar’s visit included meetings with key political stakeholders in Bangladesh, including representatives from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) the group credited with leading last year’s mass protests against Hasina’s government.
“We discussed how to further enhance relations with the brotherly Muslim state [Pakistan] in the coming days and how to make the regional alliance [SAARC] more active and stronger,” said Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, deputy leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, after meeting with Dar.
The Pakistani foreign minister emphasized Islamabad’s commitment to building a “cooperative and forward-looking relationship” with Dhaka during a press conference held at the Pakistani High Commission in the Bangladeshi capital.
In a notable military dimension to the visit, top commanders from both nations held discussions in Pakistan on Friday, signaling a broader thaw in relations beyond just diplomatic and economic channels.
Tensions With India Cast Shadow
The warming of Pakistan-Bangladesh ties comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi. The Bangladeshi interim government has publicly accused India of harboring and politically backing the now-banned Awami League and its exiled leader, Sheikh Hasina. Earlier this month, Interim President Muhammad Yunus demanded India return Hasina to face trial. India, for its part, has rejected these accusations, insisting it does not allow political activity targeting other nations to be conducted from its territory.
The legacy of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War continues to loom large in bilateral relations. While Bangladesh gained independence after a bloody conflict in which Pakistani forces were accused of widespread atrocities, many in the country continue to demand a formal apology from Islamabad a sensitive issue that remains unresolved.
However, the recent diplomatic overtures suggest both countries are willing to prioritize the future over the past, particularly in light of shifting geopolitical equations in South Asia.
What’s Next?
With formal agreements on trade and connectivity expected imminently, the visit by Ishaq Dar could usher in a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. Both governments appear to be aligning on key strategic interests, including reducing Indian influence in the region, strengthening SAARC, and enhancing mutual economic growth through collaboration.
As regional alliances are reconfigured and long-standing grievances are set aside at least temporarily the subcontinent may be witnessing the beginning of a new diplomatic era.
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Sources: Pakistan News Beat Agency!
