Pakistan‘s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made a landmark visit to Dhaka, marking the first time in 13 years that a senior Pakistani official had visited Bangladesh.
This visit signifies a breakthrough in the relations between the two nations, which have been strained since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
Dar’s trip was packed with meetings with Bangladeshi officials, including Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, the country’s chief adviser, and Adviser for Foreign Affairs Touhid Hossain.
The two countries have been working to strengthen their ties, with a focus on economic cooperation and regional stability.
According to Delwar Hossain, an international relations professor at the University of Dhaka, Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen ties with Bangladesh are strategic, aiming to revive the bond they enjoyed in the post-1975 era.
This bond was formed after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founder, and relations between Islamabad and Dhaka normalized under Ziaur Rahman, Bangladesh’s military chief-turned-president.
Both countries could benefit from closer economic relations, with Bangladesh being one of the fastest-growing economies in South Asia, recording a 6% growth rate since 2021.
Pakistan, on the other hand, lags behind with a 2.5% growth rate. Bilateral trade between the two nations is modest, with Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh totaling $661 million in 2024, compared to $57 million in imports.
However, if both countries revitalize their trade relations, they could benefit from each other as sources of raw materials and potential markets.
Bangladesh may benefit from importing cotton, textile products, rice, cement, fruits, and processed food from Pakistan, while Pakistan can import jute, jute products, hydrogen peroxide, chemicals, and tobacco products from Bangladesh.
Despite the improving relations, historical grievances remain a significant challenge. Bangladesh continues to demand a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed during the 1971 war.
Additionally, there is a dispute over the status of more than 200,000 Urdu-speaking Muslims in Bangladesh, who have been given limited rights and are seeking repatriation to Pakistan.
Bangladesh also seeks a division of pre-1971 assets of the state of Pakistan and the transfer of aid promised by West Pakistan to East Pakistan in 1970 after a devastating cyclone.
The relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh is also influenced by regional dynamics, particularly China’s growing role in South Asia.
China is a close ally of Pakistan and has maintained strong relations with Bangladesh, even after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh is considering buying 12 J-10C fighter jets from China to boost its air power, which could further strengthen ties between Dhaka and Islamabad.
While historical grievances continue to pose a challenge, both countries are working towards a more cooperative relationship.
As Aizaz Chaudhry, Pakistan’s former foreign secretary, noted, “people of Pakistan are also as sad about the events of 1971 as the people of Bangladesh. I think this pain is common, and people in both countries now want to move on.”
The visit by Ishaq Dar and the meetings with Bangladeshi officials mark a significant step towards improving relations between the two nations.
As both countries look to strengthen their economic and diplomatic ties, they may be able to find common ground and move forward, despite the challenges posed by their complex history.