Diplomatic Correspondent: 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.
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 MdTouhid 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. Following the talks, the Bangladesh Foreign Adviser hosted a lunch in honour of Dar. 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.
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.
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.
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.
