Pakistan and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, following a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Md. Touhid Hossain. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
This marks the fourth high-level interaction between the two countries since October 2024, signalling a steady thaw in relations after years of political strain. The recent engagement builds on a growing trend of pragmatic diplomacy between the South Asian Muslim-majority neighbours, especially following the departure of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August last year.
According to the Foreign Office, both leaders conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and agreed to expand cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres. They emphasised the importance of connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, with plans underway to facilitate high-level visits in the coming months.
The two sides also expressed grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, strongly condemning Israel’s ongoing aggression. Both reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and voiced hope that the UN-hosted conference would yield tangible progress toward a two-state solution.
Last week’s visit by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Dhaka further reflects the momentum in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. During his trip, Pakistan and Bangladesh reached a key agreement to allow visa-free travel for diplomatic and official passport holders, widely viewed as a trust-building measure and a step toward easing future trade and diplomatic mobility.
Since the political transition in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s interim government has lifted several restrictions on Pakistani diplomats and imports, giving renewed impetus to bilateral ties. Both sides are now exploring cooperation beyond historical grievances, focusing instead on trade, development, and regional autonomy.
As regional alignments evolve, particularly with the weakening of platforms like SAARC and China’s growing influence, Islamabad and Dhaka appear to be recalibrating their foreign policy approaches. The recent diplomatic outreach signals Pakistan’s broader efforts to restore ties with its South Asian neighbours while bolstering unity across the Muslim world.
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