Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, will visit Bangladesh next month, the first such visit in over a decade, reflecting improved relations post-Hasina. Bangladesh’s interim adviser, Muhammad Yunus, will visit Pakistan as part of this diplomatic engagement. The lifting of trade restrictions and changes in visa policies indicate a strengthening partnership.
Next month, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Bangladesh, marking the first visit of a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh in over ten years. This trip signifies an improvement in the relations between Dhaka and Islamabad following the political changes in Bangladesh after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last August, as reported by The Express Tribune.
Ishaq Dar confirmed his visit during a news conference in Islamabad, stating he accepted the invitation from his Bangladeshi counterpart. Additionally, Muhammad Yunus, the interim chief adviser of Bangladesh, will reciprocate with a visit to Islamabad on mutually agreed dates, indicating a mutual interest in enhancing diplomatic relations.
The relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh had been tenuous throughout Sheikh Hasina’s sixteen-year tenure due to her alignment with India, which limited Pakistan’s attempts to improve connections. Following her removal, there has been a noticeable improvement in bilateral relations and increased high-level exchanges between the two nations.
Bangladesh has previously lifted restrictions on Pakistani exports, resulting in a rise in bilateral trade and the commencement of direct trading through sea routes. During his press briefing, Dar referred to Bangladesh as a “brother country,” emphasizing Pakistan’s willingness to support Dhaka in various endeavors.
Moreover, recent changes in visa policy indicate a relaxation for Pakistani citizens, where a clearance requirement previously mandated was removed. This has the potential to influence security dynamics, particularly concerning India’s northeastern region, amidst worries of extremist groups leveraging Bangladesh’s evolving political situation.
Furthermore, significant tensions have arisen between India and Bangladesh since Hasina’s ousting, particularly after she fled to India in early August. The political climate escalated under the interim leadership of Muhammad Yunus, amid distressing incidents such as attacks on Hindus and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, deepening the divisions within Bangladesh.
In summary, the upcoming visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh highlights a significant shift in diplomatic relations following the political upheaval in Bangladesh. The anticipated exchange of visits between Pakistani and Bangladeshi officials reflects a mutual desire to enhance bilateral ties. Furthermore, the relaxation of visa policies and the focus on trade cooperation are steps that could lead to a more stable and prosperous relationship between the two nations.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
