Bangladesh and Pakistan Strengthen Bilateral Relations

Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar led their respective sides in a foreign minister-level meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The two nations reiterated their commitment to strengthening their historical and multifaceted bilateral relations based on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation. Various issues, including unresolved past issues, trade, commerce, health, education, and sports, were discussed during the meeting.

Key Takeaways:

• Bangladesh and Pakistan emphasized the need to strengthen trade relations and expand investment, with a yearly turnover of less than $1 billion between the countries.
• Bangladesh sought access to Pakistan's markets under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) in textiles, energy, medicine, agriculture, fisheries, and livestock, as well as information technology sectors.
• Pakistan proposed exporting energy to Bangladesh, and the two nations discussed regularizing shipping services between Chattogram and Karachi.
• Two airlines have been given initial permits to operate in Bangladesh, with plans to introduce direct flights between the countries to boost trade, commerce, tourism, and other sectors.
• Both sides discussed extending cooperation in higher education, particularly by providing scholarships to Bangladeshi students, as well as cooperation in medical education, medicines, engineering, and technology sectors.
• Bangladesh sought Pakistan's cooperation to resolve the Rohingya crisis through the safe return of Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar.
• One agreement and five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed, including visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and official passports, establishment of a joint working group on trade and commerce, and cooperation between national news agencies and foreign service academies.

Statistics:

• Yearly trade turnover between Bangladesh and Pakistan: below $1 billion.
• Sectors where Bangladesh seeks access to Pakistan's markets: textiles, energy, medicine, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and information technology.
• Number of airlines given initial permits: 2.
• Number of MoUs signed: 5.
• Areas of cooperation discussed: higher education, medical education, medicines, engineering, and technology.

Sources:

• Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news release
• Additional sources not mentioned in the original text