Ishaq Dar’s Upcoming Visit to Bangladesh: A Step Towards…

Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, is visiting Bangladesh in April to enhance bilateral relations post the Awami League’s ouster. Previous interactions had waned under the prior government. Discussions on cultural exchanges and trade delegations were highlighted, indicating a renewed commitment to diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in April. This visit is part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations following the recent political shift that occurred with the ouster of the Awami League-led government on August 5, 2024. Historically, diplomatic exchanges had diminished under the India-aligned Awami League administration, which has been in power since 2009.

The last visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh was in 2012 when Hina Rabbani Khar undertook a brief 12-hour visit. Although Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the D-8 ministerial conference virtually in 2022, in-person exchanges have been limited. Following the political transition last year, communications have ramped up, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus engaging in conversations and meetings aimed at improving relations.

Both nations are planning to restart formal bilateral talks, including consultations between foreign secretaries, which last took place in 2010, and the Joint Economic Commission, which last convened in 2005. Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Pakistan’s additional secretary for Asia Pacific, met with Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin to address these discussions.

Topics explored during these discussions included potential cultural collaborations in areas such as music, cinema, and youth exchanges, as well as trade delegations traveling between the two countries. The importance of cooperation on tourism, cultural exchanges, the Rohingya issue, and regional cooperation through organizations such as SAARC and OIC were highlights of their agenda.

The upcoming visit by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar represents a significant step toward enhancing bilateral relations with Bangladesh. Following years of limited interaction, both nations are committed to resuming formal meetings and fostering cooperation in various fields, including trade, culture, and regional stability. As both countries move forward in revitalizing their diplomatic ties, the emphasis on mutual respect and shared values underscores their intentions to strengthen collaboration.

Original Source: www.thedailystar.net