Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in April to strengthen bilateral relations damaged during the previous government. The visit aims to resume formal dialogues and foster cooperation in various areas, including cultural exchanges and addressing regional issues. The easing of visa restrictions also signals a positive shift in diplomatic ties.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in April, aimed at enhancing the bilateral relationship that has been affected by the political shift following the dismissal of the Awami League-led government on August 5, 2024. Historically, the diplomatic ties suffered during the 15-year tenure of the Awami League, which aligned closely with India.
The last visit by a Pakistani foreign minister occurred in 2012 when Hina Rabbani Khar spent 12 hours in Bangladesh. Since then, interactions have decreased significantly, with the last notable participation by Pakistan’s former foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, at a D-8 ministerial conference via virtual attendance in 2022.
Following the political transition, outreach began with discussions between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which included two meetings in New York and Egypt to restore diplomatic connections between the two nations. In addition to the ministerial visit, plans are afoot to resume formal bilateral dialogues, including foreign secretary-level consultations, which were last held in 2010.
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, additional secretary in the foreign ministry of Pakistan, recently met Md Jashim Uddin, Bangladesh’s foreign secretary, to address various bilateral relation aspects in the context of Dar’s forthcoming visit. The discussions included potential cultural collaborations encompassing music, cinema, and youth exchanges.
Siddiqui also delivered a letter from Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, focusing on enhancing cooperation in tourism and addressing the crisis of forcibly displaced Rohingyas. Meetings further highlighted the significance of regional cooperation via platforms such as SAARC, OIC, and D-8.
The diplomatic relations show potential improvement, with the easing of visa issuance for Pakistani nationals and plans to restore direct shipping routes and flight services. Statements issued by the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka reaffirm the commitment to mutual respect and shared values, alongside discussions with key Bangladeshi officials on fostering cooperative relations further.
The upcoming visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh marks a significant opportunity to repair and enhance diplomatic relations strained over the past 15 years. With plans to resume formal meetings and cooperative initiatives in various sectors, there is optimism surrounding the renewal of ties between the two nations and the potential for economic and cultural exchanges. This diplomatic engagement reflects a mutual commitment towards fortifying bilateral relations, paving the way for future cooperation.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
