Regional matters, SAARC, Palestine, Rogingya discussed
Pakistan and Bangladesh on Sunday signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral relations.
The signing ceremony, held in Dhaka under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Md Touhid Hossain, covered agreements on visa abolition for diplomats and government officials, cooperation between foreign service academies, and collaboration between news agencies Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
Other MoUs include partnerships between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade, and a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025–2028.
Ishaq Dar on Saturday reached Dhaka in a visit that seeks to rebuild ties between the two brotherly countries. Dar is the most senior Pakistani official to visit Dhaka since 2012, with Islamabad calling it a “significant milestone in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations”.
Hina Rabbani Khar was the last foreign minister to travel to Dhaka, where she extended an invitation to then prime minister, Sheikh Hasina Wajid for the D-8 summit. Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh remained tense during Hasina’s 15-year tenure.
DPM Dar and Md Touhid Hossain discussed a wide range of issues, including high-level exchanges, trade and economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts, cultural and educational collaboration, capacity building, and humanitarian matters. Regional and international matters, including the revitalisation of SAARC, as well as the Palestine and Rohingya issues, were also reviewed.
The talks were held in a constructive atmosphere, “reflecting goodwill and cordiality between the two countries.” Both sides agreed to work towards further strengthening bilateral ties.
DPM also held a breakfast meeting with Bangladesh’s Adviser for Commerce Sk. Bashir Uddin, joined by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Khamal Khan.
Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue and Secretary of the Internal Resources Division Md.
Abdur Rahman Khan FCMA, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute Md. Abdur Rauf, Chairman of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission Moinul Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Nasreen Jahan, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Mahbubur Rahman, Chairman of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh Brigadier General Mohammad Foyshol Azad and High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan were the officials attending the gathering, according to FO.
Talks focused on strengthening economic and commercial cooperation, with particular emphasis on expanding trade and improving connectivity.
Yesterday in Dhaka, DPM Ishaq Dar with Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan attended a reception hosted in his honour by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider. Dar underscored that the people of Pakistan hold “fraternal sentiments” towards the people of Bangladesh and expressed Pakistan’s desire to build a cooperative and forward-looking relationship.
He said ties between the two countries were “anchored in centuries-old shared traditions, Islamic heritage, social norms and literary expressions.” Dar also held separate meetings with Bangladeshi political delegations to discuss reforms, youth engagement, stronger bilateral ties and regional developments, according to the foreign ministry.
In February, bilateral trade between the two countries registered an increase with the start of the first-ever direct trade link via sea. The two countries have already agreed to start direct flights, giving further impetus to the relationship.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have not only intensified political engagements but also defence ties. In January, a top Bangladeshi general came to Pakistan on a rare visit.Monsoon safety gear
Lt-Gen S M Kamr-ul-Hassan, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh, who is the second in command, was the first top Bangladeshi general to have travelled to Islamabad in many years.
The visit of the Bangladeshi general, who was accompanied by senior army officers, highlights the shift in bilateral ties between the two countries since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.
As Pakistan and Bangladesh ties grow gradually, India is increasingly worried. Indian officials and experts are concerned that growing Pakistan-Bangladesh ties would undermine the security of its restive north-eastern states.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have dismissed those fears and made it clear that they are pursuing bilateral ties for their own mutual benefits.
The ouster of pro-India Sheikh Hasina was a massive blow for India, which backed the Awami League Leader to advance its strategic interests. Hasina fled to India and since then has been living there on exile.
The Bangladesh interim government has repeatedly asked for her extradition to face trial for various crimes she allegedly committed while in power. India has yet to respond to the Bangladesh request.
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