Dhaka, August 24, 2025: Bangladesh and Pakistan have pledged to strengthen bilateral relations across multiple sectors, with both sides emphasizing economic, cultural, and educational cooperation. The commitment came during a bilateral meeting in Dhaka on Saturday between Md. Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Adviser of Bangladesh, and Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, who is on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh from August 23–24.
The talks were held in a spirit of warmth and goodwill, reflecting the two countries’ intent to expand cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to deepen engagement based on mutual respect, understanding, and shared interests.
Expanding Cooperation Across Sectors
The discussions covered a wide range of issues, including trade, investment, agriculture, education, health, energy, connectivity, tourism, culture, and disaster management. Bangladesh highlighted the need to unlock untapped opportunities across sectors and emphasized the role of private sector engagement.
Progress was noted in simplifying visa procedures, improving maritime links, and working toward the resumption of air connectivity. Senator Dar also announced the launch of the “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor,” under which 500 scholarships will be awarded to Bangladeshi students over the next five years, with one-quarter reserved for medical studies.
In addition, Pakistan offered advanced medical treatment, including limb replacements for 40 individuals injured during Bangladesh’s July Uprising, and pledged support for training Bangladesh’s national hockey team.
Regional and Global Concerns
Both countries agreed that stronger bilateral ties would enhance peace, stability, and prosperity in South Asia. The two delegations also exchanged views on pressing global and regional issues.
On the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh sought Pakistan’s continued support for the safe and voluntary repatriation of refugees to Myanmar, as the region marked the eighth anniversary of the Rohingya genocide.
Both sides also condemned the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank, calling them genocidal atrocities and grave human rights violations. They urged the international community to push for a permanent ceasefire and reiterated their support for a sovereign Palestinian state along 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Historic Issues and Future Engagement
Bangladesh reiterated its long-standing demands for Pakistan to formally apologize for the 1971 genocide, address the division of assets, transfer of foreign aid originally intended for 1970 cyclone victims, and resolve the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. Dhaka stressed that resolving these issues is essential for building enduring and forward-looking ties.
Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums such as SAARC, OIC, and the United Nations.
Agreements Signed
The meeting concluded with the signing of several agreements in the presence of senior officials, including:
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An agreement on visa abolition for diplomatic and official passport holders
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A Cultural Exchange Programme
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Four MoUs covering cooperation in trade, news agencies, foreign service academies, and think tanks
Senator Dar also conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s Prime Minister to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and invited Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser to visit Islamabad.