Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh called upon the Prime Minister in Dhaka
The relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh appear to be moving towards normalcy after Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Ahmed Siddiqui met the Prime Minister Sheikh Haseena Wajed in Dhaka. According to sources, the meeting hinted at the betterment of ties between the two nations.
According to the statement, High Commissioner Siddiqui, during the meeting, carried the message of goodwill and friendship from Mr. Khan to Ms. Wajed. The Bangladesh PM reciprocated the good wishes for the leadership of Pakistan.
“The High Commissioner informed Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina that the government and the people of Pakistan held the Bangladeshi leadership and people in high esteem and affection. The prime minister expressed good wishes for the people of Pakistan,” the statement read.
“The two sides agreed to further strengthen the existing fraternal relations between the two countries,” the statement noted.
Improving ties
Pakistan and Bangladesh have not have carried any official dialogue during the last 12 years. There are multi bilateral ties mechanisms that have not been used. Wajed’s regime has maintained a tough stance towards Pakistan and has been friendly towards India. The matters got worse when a 1971 “war crimes” tribunal was established after Wajed took over the country’s reins in 2009. However, a pivot may occur towards Pakistan since Bangladesh and India have had strained relations in recent times over several matters.
Efforts are underway
Efforts to better ties have been made in recent times. Before meeting with the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Siddiqui had met with the Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen in July. The prime ministers of both countries also conversed over the phone in July. Imran Khan expressed the desire to “deepen fraternal relations on the basis of mutual trust, mutual respect and sovereign equality.”