After many years of diplomatic distance, Bangladesh and Pakistan are moving towards a closer partnership.
This growing closeness of regional ties is underpinned by a shared concern over India, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
As Bangladesh Army Principal Staff Officer General SM Kamrul Hassan held a high-level meeting with Pakistan's Chief of the Army Staff General Asim Munir, it marked a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between the two nations, following the political upheaval in the former.
Pakistani military’s media wing described the meeting as one between “brotherly nations,” reflecting a renewed camaraderie.
The discussions, according to official reports, underscored the importance of enhancing military cooperation and shielding this partnership from external influences.
The rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh comes after decades of strained relations, particularly during Sheikh Hasina’s nearly 16-year tenure, which was marked by her government’s pro-India stance.
Her ousting in August, after widespread protests, has paved the way for a recalibration of Dhaka’s foreign policy.
Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have also engaged in diplomatic exchanges, most recently during an international summit in Cairo.
These interactions, along with an anticipated visit by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh, hint at a strategic shift in South Asia’s geopolitical landscape.
The historical enmity between Islamabad and Dhaka traces back to the 1971 Liberation War, a conflict marred by significant atrocities committed by the Pakistani military.
Despite Pakistan’s formal recognition of Bangladesh’s independence in 1974, unresolved issues such as a formal apology, the repatriation of Urdu-speaking Bangladeshis, and the division of pre-1971 assets linger.
Yunus has urged Pakistan to address these longstanding matters, advocating for a resolution “once and for all” for future generations. In response, Sharif has committed to examining these concerns, signalling a potential thaw in bilateral relations.
Experts like Ashraf Qureshi, a former Pakistani envoy to Bangladesh, suggest that the souring of India-Bangladesh ties, driven by New Delhi’s support for Hasina, may have prompted Dhaka’s overtures towards Islamabad.
However, both Qureshi and Walter Ladwig, a senior lecturer at King’s College London, caution against overestimating the impact of these diplomatic and military exchanges, given the entrenched historical tensions.
Trade remains an area ripe for expansion, with current bilateral trade volumes heavily favouring Pakistan.
Any relaxation of trade barriers and increased diplomatic engagement could foster significant economic benefits for both nations.
The recent diplomatic thaw suggests that both Pakistan and Bangladesh recognise the mutual benefits of a closer relationship, a development that could herald a new chapter in South Asian geopolitics.
