Pakistan and Bangladesh Resume Bilateral Talks After 15 Years

  • Delegations to be led by foreign secretaries from both nations in the consultative meeting.
  • Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch has arrived in Dhaka for a two-day visit.
  • Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is slated to visit Bangladesh in the final week of April.

Pakistan and Bangladesh have taken steps to improve their diplomatic ties by restarting bilateral Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) after a 15-year hiatus.

The Foreign Offices of Pakistan and Bangladesh are scheduled to conduct a consultative meeting in Dhaka today (Thursday), with the aim of enhancing cooperation and fostering stronger dialogue between the two countries.

It is important to note that the foreign secretaries from both countries will head their respective delegations during the consultative meeting.

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch, arrived in Dhaka yesterday for a two-day visit to participate in the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC).

During the consultative meeting in Dhaka, discussions are expected to cover topics of shared interest, the regional landscape, and ways to boost bilateral cooperation.

At the FOC, Amna Baloch will lead the Pakistani delegation, while Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin will represent Bangladesh at the State Guest House Padma.

Following the FOC, Amna Baloch is also scheduled to meet with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain. Additionally, she will engage with think tanks and members of the Pakistani community in Dhaka in the evening.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is anticipated to visit Bangladesh during the last week of April.

Since the change in government in Bangladesh on August 5 of the previous year, relations between the two countries have been on a positive trajectory.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Yunus have met on two occasions since then: once on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September of the previous year, and again at the D-8 summit held in Cairo in December.

Bangladesh has since relaxed its visa regulations for Pakistani citizens and initiated direct shipping services.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is eager to promote cultural exchange and stimulate trade, tourism, and investment opportunities.

According to Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain Khan, who is currently in Dhaka for the meeting, Pakistan identifies potential for increasing exports to Bangladesh, especially if their products can be offered at competitive prices.