On August 23, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dhaka on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh. Islamabad described the visit, which is the first by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh since 2012, as “historic” and a “significant milestone in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.”
Dar’s visit was successful in enhancing government-to-government and people-to-people connections. The two sides signed an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cultural exchange, MoUs between the news agencies of the two countries, their foreign service academies, and research institutions, and on trade cooperation.
Efforts are being made to rediscover the connection between erstwhile East and West Pakistan, which was severed in 1971, when the former broke away to emerge as a sovereign country, Bangladesh.
In addition to meeting Bangladesh’s interim government, Dar also met with delegations from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the National Citizen Party, and the Jamaat-e-Islami. He also held separate meetings with former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia of the BNP and the ailing Jamaat Amir, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.
Dar’s visit is a continuation of the marked shift in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August of last year. During Hasina’s 16-year rule, bilateral relations were hostile. With her exit, a new chapter has opened in the historically complex relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
This shift has not only altered the dynamics within Bangladesh but has also reshaped regional relations, particularly with Pakistan. As both countries seek to mend ties and explore new avenues of cooperation, the road ahead is fraught with both opportunities and challenges.
A New Geopolitical Reality
Close ties with New Delhi were a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s foreign policy during the Hasina years. But this limited Bangladesh’s ability to pursue a more balanced and independent approach to regional diplomacy. With Hasina’s ouster, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has signaled a desire to recalibrate the country’s foreign policy. This recalibration has been most evident in the warming of relations with Pakistan.
The political changes in Bangladesh have also created a new geopolitical reality for Pakistan. Islamabad, which has long sought to improve relations with Dhaka, now finds itself in a position to capitalize on the shifting dynamics. The interim government’s openness to dialogue and cooperation has provided Pakistan with an opportunity to reset its relationship with Bangladesh, a country with which it shares deep historical, cultural, and religious ties.
There has been a visible increase in bilateral engagement between post-Hasina Bangladesh and Pakistan. In December 2024, Bangladeshi Chief Adviser Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and the D-8 Summit in Cairo. Both sides expressed a willingness to explore new areas of cooperation, including trade, cultural exchanges, and tourism. The removal of visa restrictions for Pakistani nationals traveling to Bangladesh, and the planned resumption of direct shipping and flights between the two countries, are further signs of the improving relationship.
However, the path to improved relations is not without its challenges. The historical baggage of the 1971 Liberation War, during which Pakistan’s military committed atrocities in then East Pakistan, remains a thorn in the bilateral relationship. The independence war was marked by widespread violence and atrocities committed by the Pakistani military. The memory of these events continues to shape public opinion in Bangladesh, where there is a strong demand for justice and accountability.
“We believe that in strengthening relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, and in any move to advance ties, the 1971 issue must be dealt with. We raised that matter with them [Pakistan],” NCP Member-Secretary Akhter Hossen said during his meetings with Dar.
Pakistan’s reluctance to issue a formal apology for the 1971 genocide is a major point of contention. While Islamabad has acknowledged the need to address historical grievances, it has stopped short of offering a formal apology. In response to a question raised by journalists on the responsibility of Pakistan for the genocide in Bangladesh, Dar replied: “Clean your heart and move together.” Pakistan’s stance on genocide in Bangladesh has evoked frustration among Bangladeshi youth, which is apparent in their social media posts. A social media post by a student of Dhaka University, for example, states that Pakistan should say sorry and offer an official apology before initiating diplomatic relations with Bangladesh.
The potential for increased trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh is one of the most promising aspects of the evolving relationship. The two countries have already established the Pakistan-Bangladesh Business Council and plan to set up a Trade and Investment Commission.
Bangladesh-Pakistan relations reached an important milestone in February this year, when the two countries resumed direct trade for the first time since 1971, with 50,000 tons of rice being shipped from Pakistan’s Port Qasim to Chattogram port in Bangladesh under a government agreement.
Both countries have large, young populations and growing economies, which present significant opportunities for trade and investment. Bangladesh, in particular, has emerged as a major player in the global textile industry, while Pakistan has strengths in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.
The Role of External Actors
The role of external actors, particularly India and China, is an important factor shaping Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. India has long been a key player in South Asia, and its relationship with Bangladesh has been a cornerstone of its regional strategy. Under Hasina, Bangladesh’s close ties with India were seen as a counterbalance to Pakistan’s influence in the region. However, with Hasina’s ouster and the rise of the interim government, India’s influence in Bangladesh is waning. This has created an opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen its ties with Bangladesh, but it also raises questions about how India will respond to this shift in the regional balance of power.
China, on the other hand, has been increasingly active in South Asia, particularly through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Both Pakistan and Bangladesh are key partners in the BRI, and China’s growing economic and strategic influence in the region could provide an additional impetus for Pakistan-Bangladesh cooperation. For example, China could play a role in facilitating infrastructure projects and trade links between the two countries, which could help to strengthen their economic ties.
At the same time, the growing influence of India and China presents challenges for Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. Both countries will need to navigate these complex geopolitical dynamics carefully, balancing their relationships with external powers while pursuing their own national interests.
While the prospects for increased trade and cultural exchanges between Pakistan and Bangladesh are promising, they will require sustained effort and a commitment to addressing the challenges that have long divided the two nations. As both countries navigate this new chapter in their relationship, the focus must be on building bridges and finding common ground. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the potential rewards – for both countries and for the region as a whole – are too significant to ignore.