Pakistan Foreign Minister Set to Visit Bangladesh in April 2025

Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, will visit Bangladesh in April to strengthen bilateral relations post-Awami League government. Following years of subdued interactions, discussions are underway for economic, cultural, and diplomatic cooperation. The visit marks an effort to resume formal engagements that have been dormant for years.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in April 2025 as part of an initiative to strengthen bilateral ties following the removal of the Awami League-led government on August 5, 2024. Diplomatic relations experienced a downturn during the 15 years of the pro-India Awami League government which lasted from 2009 until its recent displacement.

The last visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh occurred in 2012, marked by Hina Rabbani Khar’s brief 12-hour visit. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who was Pakistan’s foreign minister in 2022, attended the D-8 ministerial conference virtually, illustrating the lack of in-person engagements prior to this new opportunity.

Following the political transition last year, discussions began between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to mend diplomatic relations. They connected through phone conversations and met on two occasions: once in New York and once in Egypt, signifying a renewed approach to cooperation.

Efforts are underway to resume formal bilateral meetings, including foreign secretary-level consultations not held since 2010 and the joint economic commission last convened in 2005. These matters were addressed in a recent meeting between Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Pakistan’s additional secretary for the Asia Pacific, and Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin.

During their discussions, the importance of reinstating formal meetings was emphasized. In preparation for Foreign Minister Dar’s visit, various aspects of mutual interest were evaluated, such as cultural cooperation and initiatives fostering people-to-people connections including youth exchanges and the arts.

Siddiqui presented a letter from Ishaq Dar to Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, reinforcing the dialogue’s significance. Both foreign secretaries also acknowledged the recent influx of trade delegations from Pakistan to Bangladesh and the necessity for reciprocal visits from Bangladeshi delegations to Pakistan, enhancing economic exchange.

Furthermore, cooperation in tourism, cultural exchanges, and addressing the situation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas were prominently discussed. The engagement also highlighted the need for enhanced regional collaboration within frameworks such as SAARC, OIC, and D-8, with attendance from Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof.

Visa policies for Pakistani nationals traveling to Bangladesh have been eased, and plans are in place to resume direct shipping and flights between the two nations. The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka affirmed that both parties reviewed the current state of relations, which rest on mutual respect and shared values, expressing optimism about the future trajectory of bilateral ties and ongoing engagement.

In conclusion, Ishaq Dar’s upcoming visit to Bangladesh represents a significant step forward in revitalizing Pakistan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations. Following years of strained interactions, the engagement aims to enhance cooperation across various sectors, including tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. The recent discussions indicate a mutual commitment to fostering a positive trajectory in ties based on respect and shared values.

Original Source: www.thedailystar.net