Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit Bangladesh in April to revitalize bilateral ties following recent political changes. This visit marks a significant diplomatic move, as interactions have been limited in previous years. Current discussions focus on cultural cooperation and trade enhancement, with efforts to resume formal meetings that have not occurred in over a decade.
Ishaq Dar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in April. This visit is part of initiatives to strengthen the bilateral relationship following the political transition and the subsequent replacement of the Awami League-led government on August 5, 2024. The diplomatic relations had been subdued during the 15-year period of the Awami League’s alignment with India.
The last visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh occurred in 2012 when Hina Rabbani Khar made a brief 12-hour trip. Although Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the former foreign minister, attended the D-8 ministerial conference virtually in 2022, direct engagement lagged. Following the regime change in August, leaders from both nations—Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—initiated contact, including phone calls and two meetings in New York and Egypt.
The forthcoming visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to Bangladesh signifies a renewed effort to enhance bilateral relations after a period of reduced diplomatic engagement. The discussions and planned activities, including cultural cooperation and trade delegations, reflect a mutual desire to strengthen ties based on shared values and respect. The easing of visa regulations and plans for direct transport links further highlight the commitment to improved relations between the two nations.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
