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International trade

Pakistan Offers Bangladesh Use of Karachi Port for Export Amid Strained Ties with India

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pakistan's offer of using its Karachi port for the export of Bangladesh's goods and products has been made amid strained ties between Dhaka and New Delhi. This development comes two months after India banned the import of several jute products from Bangladesh through all land routes. The offer was made during the 9th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting held in Dhaka, where Pakistan proposed allowing Bangladesh to use the Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods. This move could potentially provide Bangladesh with direct maritime access to markets in China, the Gulf, and Central Asia.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for the export of their goods and products.
  • The development comes amid strained ties between Dhaka and New Delhi, two months after India banned the import of several jute products from Bangladesh through all land routes.
  • Islamabad made the offer during the 9th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting held in Dhaka, where Pakistan proposed allowing Bangladesh to use the Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods.
  • Pakistan has expressed interest in importing jute and jute products from Bangladesh, signaling its intent to strengthen trade ties.
  • Under the new proposal, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) would serve as a gateway for Bangladesh's regional trade with China and the Central Asian states.
  • The proposal could provide Bangladesh direct maritime access to markets in China, the Gulf, and Central Asia.
  • Many geopolitical experts have questioned the economic viability of such a route.
  • A close aide of Pakistan-based UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, visited Bangladesh recently.

Statistics:

  • The 9th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting was held in Dhaka, a city in Bangladesh.
  • Timeframe of India banning import of several jute products from Bangladesh: "two months ago".
  • Estimated number of countries that Bangladesh could trade with using the Karachi port: 3 (China, the Gulf, Central Asia).
  • Estimated number of routes that Pakistan proposed: 1 (maritime access to markets in China, the Gulf, and Central Asia).

Sources:

  • Samaa TV
  • Pakistan's petroleum minister Ali Pervez
  • Bangladesh's finance adviser
  • Pakistani general (recipient of distorted map of Bangladesh)
  • Copyright 2025 Indian National Press (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com

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