The growing affinity between Pakistan and Bangladesh is being viewed interestingly for certain reasons. Both nations were one up till 1971 when Bangladesh was carved out of Pakistan after the ugly episode of the 1971 war, instigated, orchestrated and exploited by India. Thereafter relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh remained episodic in nature while Bangladesh’s government had been closely related to India. President Musharraf during his visit to Bangladesh in year 2002, regretted the incidents that took place during the 1971 war and it was expected that relations between the two countries would now improve but this did not happen. However, soon after Ms Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s government was toppled in August 2024, the two nations started coming closer at a fast pace. India, who had been nurturing anti-Pakistan government of Ms Sheikh Hasina Wajid for years, seemed totally helpless. Conversely, China increased its overtures towards Bangladesh which further intensified Pakistan’s bold steps taken with the caretaker government in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan concluded a very successful visit to Bangladesh in August 2025, with several prudent steps undertaken by both governments. Agreements such as visa abolition for official and diplomatic passports, increase in quota for Bangladeshi students in Pakistan, training of foreign service officials and their hockey team by Pakistan, establishing relations between think tanks on both sides, etc, are steps that should have been taken years ago, yet it‘s never too late. The closeness between both countries is not unusual as there have always been traditional, historical and ideological bonds between them which were suppressed with concerted efforts by India through Ms Sheikh Hasina Wajid. As soon as that caveat was lifted the natural affinity between Pakistan and Bangladesh resurfaced and brought them closer as was expected. The caretaker government in Bangladesh is reassessing a long term foreign policy, which seems pragmatically tilted towards regional cooperation. Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoy advantageous geographical locations which has been rightly assessed by China, evident through its heavy investment in both countries. This factor has also aligned both countries and bound them in a single string of interests influenced by BRI, SCO, Commonwealth of Nations, and D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation. The major powers rivalry manifested via Indo-Pacific strategy has galvanised China’s interest in the region which brings in a huge number of opportunities. Its investment in BCIM and CPEC and continuous diplomatic engagement are testimony to this fact. Pakistan and Bangladesh concluded agreements in trade, education, media, culture and mutual cooperation. All these are fields in which any two countries necessitate to forge ahead for furthering their ties, that’s why it seems to be the beginning of a pragmatic cooperation between the two. There have been significant developments in the maritime sector as well. The first Pakistani cargo ship visited Bangladesh in November 2024, making a significant breakthrough. Both are planning to launch direct passenger and cargo shipping services aiming to boost trade, travel and overall cooperation. Pakistan and Bangladesh are both referred to as emerging economies and fall in the category of ‘Next 11’. Bangladesh has also eased restrictions on Pakistani goods, removing mandatory physical inspections and streamlining the import process. There is a requirement to collaborate economically and take benefit of this upheaval that both countries are experiencing through measures such as Preferential Trade Agreement and ultimately Free Trade Agreement. People to people contact is a must to forge good relations between any two countries. The agreement to have a knowledge corridor whereby students from both sides will have opportunities to study in each other’s institutions, interaction between think tanks on both sides and collaboration of media are genuine steps that will facilitate stronger relations.
The relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have been subjected to Indian ingress into Bangladesh. Just like India catalysed the 1971 war, it has been showing interest in Bangladesh’s political system and vying for the pro-India government. Ms Sheikh Hasina Wajid fulfilled the requirement and that is why relations during her tenure were sabotaged owing to her continuous rant about 1971 events. Despite the fact that pending issues were resolved at least twice between the leaderships, however, those were lingering on, instigated on India’s behest. Now that Ms Hasina is in exile in India and her chances of return to Bangladesh seem minimal owing to the cases against her and family, the prospects of better relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh loom large. China is playing a critical role in the region and is an active player. India being entangled with the US for multiple reasons finds itself in a difficult position and is losing grip on regional affairs, especially after the May 2025 conflict with Pakistan. It is now resorting to mending relations with China, a measure of refuge from the embarrassment it suffered at the hands of Pakistan. This is an opportune time for both Pakistan and Bangladesh to institute long lasting steps so that no new government in Bangladesh after elections could revert those.
It is a given that the more stakes both nations create in each other, the more staunchly relations will progress. It is now incumbent upon the decision makers on both sides to seriously focus on the diplomatic engagements, including military diplomacy, at a consistent pace. Being members of SAARC, Pakistan and Bangladesh can also work for revival of the redundant organisation for the betterment of region, despite India’s disinclined and indifferent attitude towards it. With the support of China there are many ways both countries can exploit to bring good not only to their own people but for the people of region as well.
