Pakistan, Bangladesh back in high-level diplomatic talks
Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch meets with Bangladeshi counterpart in Dhaka
Pak to remain engaged in Bangladesh’s $4.52b claim, 1971 apology demand – Bangladesh media reports
Sm Najmus Sakib
DHAKA, Bangladesh
Pakistan and Bangladesh are back in high-level diplomatic talks after 15 years to further warm bilateral ties and ease people-to-people contacts, following the August uprising in the country that altered the geopolitical situation in the region.
The Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two South Asian nations took place in Dhaka on Thursday, the first such meeting since 2010.
Visiting Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and her Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin, led their respective delegations, according to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry.
Following the meeting, Baloch said “fruitful discussions” had been held with Bangladesh.
Baloch was also scheduled to meet with Muhammad Yunus, the head of the transitional government, and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain later Thursday.
Earlier, Baloch arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday for a two-day visit ahead of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s scheduled visit to Bangladesh later this month, which will be the top diplomat’s first visit since 2012.
Bangladesh, separated from Pakistan in a nine-month Independence War in 1971, has begun to see a more welcoming environment for Islamabad, including bilateral trade and business, since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, known for her pro-Indian stance in South Asian geopolitics, was ousted in a mass uprising on Aug. 5.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, among the leaders, welcomed Yunus soon after he took office on Aug. 8 of last year.
Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on 17.04.2025)
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Meanwhile, Bangladeshi media reported that a Pakistani government delegation, led by its foreign secretary, has assured Bangladeshi officials of “remaining engaged” on the issues of settling $4.52 billion owed to Bangladesh, and making an apology for the Pakistani war crimes committed in 1971.
Addressing reporters, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin said the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch made the assurance during a Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) held at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on Thursday.
The FOC was the first of its kind meeting between the two South Asian nations in nearly 15 years, and was called for by the Pakistani side as part of efforts rapidly improve ties with Dhaka.
During her tour of Dhaka, the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Baloch also met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. Speaking with Yuunus, Baloch said Bangladesh and Pakistan must find ways to “harness the potential between the two countries.”
“We have huge intra-regional markets on our own right. We should use it,” Baloch said. “We can’t miss the bus every time.”
Pakistan owes Bangladesh $.4.52 billion in pre-war assets that include foreign aid, provident fund and other financial instruments. Nearly $200 million in foreign aid sent to the then East Pakistan for the 1970 cyclone relief efforts were never disbursed.
Pakistan has also never apologized for the atrocities committed by its armed forces during the 1971 Liberation War.
Baloch’s tour sets the tone for Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Dhaka on 27-28 April. His visit would further strengthen relations between the two countries, Baloch hoped during talks with Prof Yunus.
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Photo courtesy: Daily Sun, Dhaka
