Pakistan and Bangladesh have resumed high -level diplomatic consultations for the first time in 15 years, since the senior officials of both parties met in Dhaka on Thursday to revive bilateral commitment and address regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The consultations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FOC) were carried out in the state of guests state Padma and led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Amna Baloch and his counterpart from Bangladesh, Jashim Uddin.
The meeting marks the first formal FOC between the two countries since 2010, pointing out the renewed efforts to rebuild trust and cooperation.
According to officials, discussions focused on a variety of issues that include trade, investment, tourism, cultural exchanges and the situation of the Rohingyas displaced by force.
Both parties also reviewed the progress in the facilitation of visas and direct shipping services, and expressed their optimism about future collaboration in regional forums.
Amna Baloch, who assumed her role in September 2024, is on a two -day visit to Dhaka. It is expected to meet with the main advisor of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, and the foreign advisor Touhid Hossain, and will also attend an interaction with Think Tanks and the Pakistani diaspora later in the day.
The consultations are part of the broader strategy of Islamabad to strengthen ties with Dhaka after a thaw in relations after the government’s departure led by the Awami League in August 2024.
Since then, Pakistan and Bangladesh have exchanged commercial delegations and have participated in multiple diplomatic meetings outside the UN General Assembly and Summit D-8.
Since then, Bangladesh has facilitated visa restrictions for Pakistani citizens and has launched direct shipping links. Pakistan, in turn, is looking to boost exports and facilitate cultural programs to deepen people’s contact.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, must visit Dhaka in the last week of April. His visit would be the first by a Pakistani Foreign Minister to Bangladesh since 2012.
