Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit Bangladesh in April to improve relations following the Awami League government’s departure. This marks a significant diplomatic effort to revive ties that deteriorated over the last 15 years. Key discussions focus on bilateral meetings, cultural cooperation, and trade enhancement.
In April, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit Bangladesh to enhance bilateral relations after last year’s political shift from the Awami League government. This visit comes after a period marked by strained diplomatic ties, with the last visit from a Pakistani foreign minister occurring in 2012. Previous Pakistani officials, such as Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, previously participated virtually in international discussions, highlighting the limited direct interactions between the countries during the Awami League’s tenure.
Following the political changes in August 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus initiated discussions aimed at improving relations, which included two meetings in New York and Egypt. The upcoming visit will also focus on resuming formal diplomatic engagements, including foreign secretary-level consultations, which have not occurred since 2010, and the Joint Economic Commission, last convened in 2005.
Recent discussions between Imran Ahmed Siddiqui from Pakistan’s foreign ministry and Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin revolved around these meetings. They emphasized the potential for cultural cooperation across a variety of sectors such as music, cinema, and youth exchange programs in preparation for the visit. In addition, Siddiqui presented a letter from Dar to Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.
Both officials lauded the recent influx of Pakistani trade delegations to Bangladesh and underscored the necessity for reciprocal visits by Bangladesh’s trade delegations. Discussions also addressed various cooperative sectors including tourism, cultural exchanges, the situation of Rohingya refugees, as well as regional collaborations through organizations such as SAARC, OIC, and D-8. The meeting was attended by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof.
Enhancements to visa protocols for Pakistani nationals seeking entry into Bangladesh are indicative of the thawing relations, alongside plans for the resumption of direct shipping and flight connections. In a statement, the Pakistan High Commission affirmed that both nations are committed to strengthening their relations based on mutual respect and shared values, expressing optimism about a favorable trajectory in diplomatic ties. Meetings with various Bangladeshi officials further signified the intent to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
In summary, the upcoming visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh signifies a pivotal moment in the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Efforts to revive bilateral discussions, enhance cultural and trade exchanges, and address significant regional issues highlight a mutual commitment to cooperation. The easing of visa requirements and plans for direct transportation links further underscore the positive trajectory both countries are aiming to establish.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
