A hope for better Pakistan-Bangladesh relations has rekindled after the ouster of Bangladesh’s former prime minister from office. Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in August last year. The former PM never warmed up to an idea of cordial Pak-Bangladesh bilateral ties. Under her 15-year leadership, whilst Bangladesh drew close to India, relations with Pakistan strained significantly. Former Primer Minister Imran Khan reached out to her several times, but his efforts bore no fruit.

Sheikh Hasina’s disdain for Pakistan was embedded in the hostilities of 1971 war between the two nations. Consequently, the former PM of Bangladesh executed several leaders of Jamaat e Islami of Pakistan accusing them of war crimes. In response, Pakistan maintained that the executions were politically motivated and those with pro-west Pakistan stance during this war were executed. In 2016, both countries expelled diplomats from the antagonizing nation. The new prime minister of Bangladesh however is open to engagements with Pakistan, but the anti-Pakistan rhetoric is still existent amongst the youth of this country. This may pose a threat to the novice efforts of reconciliation by prime minister Shahbaz Sharif and Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Bright prospects of Pak-Bangladesh relations are seen after the meetings between Pakistani PM Shabaz Sharif and Bangladeshi Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus. The two met during the 79th session of United Nations General Assembly, And later December 19, 2024, in Cairo. It was discussed how trade could be a key focus area to establish friendly ties. Another ray of hope for bright prospects emanates from the fact that Mr Yunus discussed about resolution of any outstanding issues between the two countries post 1971 war. It must be noted that the Tripartite Agreement signed in 1974 was between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It was meant to end hostilities between the nations post the war separating the former east and west Pakistan. This however wasn’t successful in eliminating the anti-Bangladesh or anti-Pakistan sentiments amongst the population that witnessed both bloodshed and hostilities.

In the light of a decline in India-Bangladesh relations, Pakistan and Bangladesh may come together to explore the untapped trade potential between the two countries. India, an ally to Hasina views the interim government with an eye of suspicion. Sheikh Hasina’s exile in India is adding to the emerging anti-India dialogue in Bangladesh. Indian Union Home Minister’s remarks on Bengali immigrants in the state of Jharkhand has added strain to the already decaying India-Bangladesh ties. Adding fuel to the fire is Bangladeshi youths’ anger over Indian intervention in their internal affairs during Sheikh Hasin’s tenure. Conversely, the chief adviser of the interim government has already started engagements with Pakistan. There are also reports of meetings between the diplomats from Islamabad and Dhaka. Both nations can harness these opportunities to increase bilateral trade in cement clinkers. These constitute nearly 44% of exported goods from Pakistan and Bangladesh has been its key cement market. Following the melting of ice between the two, Pakistan can further increase the percentage of clinker export to Bangladesh.

To increase bilateral ties, areas of mutual interest can be exploited. Dengue fever for example has been a health crisis for both Pakistan and Bangladesh. Both countries can participate in exchange of medical health workers. Bangladesh has drastically improved its healthcare system which could prove beneficial for Pakistan. Resultantly, the life expectancy rose from 58 years in 1990 to 74 years by 2019. Pakistan has an efficient surgical goods manufacturing industry and can increase the export of such tools to Bangladesh. The export of Jute and other fabric from Bangladesh to Pakistan can also be increased and diversified. Instead of simply focusing on the conventional goods for trade, new avenues of trade of goods and services can also be explored. This can include the exchange of IT Professionals and trade of digital goods between the two countries.

Diplomatic forums such as SAARC can also act as platforms to harmonise Pakistan, Bangladesh under the new government of Professor Yunus. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC was established in 1985 to develop the South Asian region. It was decided that this development would be on the forefronts of tourism, agriculture, energy, biotechnology, social development etc. Over the past few decades, this organization has not been utilized towards its true potential. SAARC is yet to hold its biennial summit since 2014. Leaders from both Pakistan and Bangladesh can push to initiate and revive trade under the umbrella of SAARC. Meetings between the dignitaries of both countries can be held more often to formalize policies and hence take initiatives towards the areas of cooperation covered under SAARC.

It is evident that the prospects of rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh post August 2024 are bright. However, the new regime in Dhaka may undergo changes because the country is bracing for fresh elections. There is a need for Pakistan to calibrate its relations with Bangladesh based on efficient trade and diplomacy. Such calibrations by Pakistan should not be personality-oriented as it can not be ascertained where the successor of chief adviser Muhammad Yunus will act on a similar trajectory when it comes to bilateral Pak-Bangladesh ties. A relationship based on strong trade and diplomatic ties is unlikely to be shattered by geopolitical considerations.