FM Ishaq Dar leaves for two-day official visit to Bangladesh

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar departed for an official two-day trip to Dhaka on Saturday, marking the first state visit by a foreign minister to Bangladesh in 13 years, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

This marks the highest-level Pakistani visit to Bangladesh in over a decade, with Islamabad calling it an important step forward in bilateral relations. During his stay, Dar will meet Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus. The two sides are expected to sign agreements on trade and cooperation on Sunday. Analysts say the visit comes at a sensitive time when regional power dynamics are shifting, and India, a key player in South Asia, is closely observing the developments.

Bangladesh’s ties with India have cooled since August 2024, when a mass uprising toppled prime minister Sheikh Hasina, forcing her to flee to India. Dhaka has since accused New Delhi of supporting Hasina’s outlawed Awami League, allegations India denies. Pakistan and Bangladesh have been gradually improving relations, starting with sea trade last year and expanding government-to-government commerce earlier this year. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan also visited Dhaka recently to discuss trade and investment, agreeing to create joint commissions to boost economic cooperation.

Military officials from both countries met in Pakistan on Friday, reflecting growing engagement across multiple sectors. The new warmth between the two countries comes as Bangladesh distances itself from India, once its closest ally, following Hasina’s ouster. Observers note that the interim government in Dhaka, led by Nobel laureate Yunus, appears open to balancing its regional partnerships.