Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit Bangladesh in April to improve diplomatic relations that have deteriorated over the past 15 years. This visit follows recent political changes in Bangladesh and discussions between top officials from both countries aimed at resuming formal bilateral meetings and fostering cultural and economic ties.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar intends to visit Bangladesh in April to strengthen bilateral relations, which have been strained for 15 years under the previous Awami League government’s regime. The last visit from a Pakistani foreign minister occurred in 2012 with Hina Rabbani Khar’s brief visit, while in 2022, then-minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari participated in a D-8 conference virtually.
Following the political changes last year, key discussions took place between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. They communicated through phone calls and meetings in New York and Egypt aimed at repairing the longstanding rift between the nations. Both nations are eager to reinitiate formal dialogues, including foreign secretary-level consultations and a joint economic commission last convened in 2005.
In preparation for the visit, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Pakistan’s additional secretary for Asia Pacific, held discussions with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. A foreign ministry statement noted, “Both sides discussed the importance of holding the meetings.” The focus was on enhancing cultural collaboration and fostering connections between people from both countries, encompassing areas such as music, cinema, and youth exchanges.
The dialogue facilitated the exchange of a letter from Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and highlighted the significance of recent trade delegations’ visits. Matters such as tourism, cultural exchanges, and collaboration on the Rohingya crisis were also addressed, emphasizing regional cooperation via SAARC, OIC, and D-8.
Additionally, the easing of visa restrictions for Pakistani nationals and the prospects for reinstating direct transportation linkages were discussed. The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka stated that both nations reflected on the current state of their relations based on mutual respect, expressing optimism about the positive trajectory of cooperation moving forward. Meetings with various Bangladeshi officials ensued to further enhance bilateral relations.
In conclusion, the anticipated visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh signifies a renewed commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and collaboration across multiple sectors. Political changes have created an opportunity to mend historically strained ties, fostering dialogue aimed at cultural and economic partnerships. Both nations exhibit a shared interest in sustaining positive developments in their diplomatic engagement, which is reflected in recent discussions and planned initiatives.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
