Ishaq Dar in Bangladesh After 13 Years: Bilateral Ties Revived

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dhaka this week, marking the first high-level visit from Islamabad to Bangladesh in 13 years. The visit hailed as a rare opening in South Asian diplomacy and underscores Pakistan’s renewed focus on strengthening regional relations. Foreign Minister landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to a warm reception by senior Bangladeshi officials. His visit is being seen as a long-awaited diplomatic engagement after a prolonged hiatus in bilateral interactions.

The last high-profile Pakistani foreign minister to visit Bangladesh was Shah Mehmood Qureshi in 2010. Since then, relations between the two countries have remained mostly symbolic, with communication limited to occasional statements and participation in multilateral forums such as the SAARC and the OIC. Dar’s arrival signals Pakistan’s willingness to reset ties with Dhaka at a time when regional dynamics are rapidly evolving. During his multi-day stay, Ishaq Dar is expected to meet Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and other senior officials. The visit carries a diverse agenda that includes:

1. Exploring opportunities to enhance commerce, particularly in textiles, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

2. Discussing transport and energy links within South Asia.

3. Strengthening ties through SAARC, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international platforms.

4. Reviving academic exchanges, tourism and cultural programs that have been dormant for years.

Sources suggest discussions may also touch upon easing visa policies, reviving direct flight routes and initiating business forums between the two nations. The 13-year diplomatic gap reflects the historically complex relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh. While both share cultural and religious ties and political sensitivities linked to the events of 1971. Bangladesh’s subsequent independence have often overshadowed relations.

By visiting Dhaka, Ishaq Dar is attempting to revive engagement and reset the tone of diplomacy toward constructive dialogue. It is a strategic attempt to reset ties, explore economic opportunities and reestablish dialogue between two nations with a shared complicated history. While challenges remain, the visit has opened the door to constructive engagement at a time when South Asia needs cooperation more than ever. If both sides seize the opportunity to build on this moment, Ishaq Dar’s trip may well be remembered as the starting point of a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.