Pakistan, Bangladesh Move to Reset Ties as Ishaq Dar Concludes Landmark Visit

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has concluded a two-day official visit to Bangladesh (August 23–24), marking the first trip by a Pakistani foreign minister to Dhaka in 13 years. The visit was widely seen as a milestone in efforts to reset relations between the two South Asian neighbors.

Agreements and MoUs Signed

The visit produced a series of concrete outcomes, with both countries signing one agreement and five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen institutional cooperation:

• Visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders.
• Creation of a Joint Working Group on Trade to facilitate commerce.
• MoUs between the foreign service academies, national news agencies (APP and BSS), and leading research institutions.
• An MoU on a cultural exchange program to foster people-to-people ties.

High-Level Engagements in Dhaka

During his stay, Mr. Dar held wide-ranging talks with top Bangladeshi leadership:

• Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government.
• Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain.
• Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin.

The discussions highlighted a shared commitment to expand trade and connectivity, with plans to initiate direct Karachi–Dhaka flights. Pakistan’s Commerce Minister, Jam Kamal Khan, was also in Dhaka, underlining the economic emphasis of the visit.

Unresolved Issues Acknowledged

While progress was made, the issue of an apology for 1971 resurfaced during press interactions. Mr. Dar remarked that he believed the matter had been settled through past discussions. However, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, signaled that Dhaka’s position on the issue remains unresolved.

Strategic Context

The visit comes amid a thaw in bilateral relations following political change in Dhaka. Ties had remained tense under the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but the interim setup has opened space for dialogue.

Mr. Dar described his engagements as “highly productive”, emphasizing that both nations are eager to move forward with mutual respect. The two sides also discussed revitalizing SAARC, signaling renewed interest in regional cooperation.

Outlook

Analysts see the agreements as an important step toward normalizing ties, with trade and cultural linkages expected to drive the next phase of cooperation. The visit reflects a broader shift in South Asia, where regional states are reassessing old divides in search of economic opportunity and stability.

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