Pakistan, Bangladesh Sign Visa, Trade Pacts

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Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan have taken steps to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, signing agreements on visa exemptions and cooperation in multiple areas during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The historic visa exemption allows holders of official and diplomatic passports from both countries to travel without visas. This marks the first such agreement since Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. The move signals an effort to improve bilateral relations, following tensions between India and Bangladesh over the past year.

During the visit, both countries signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). These include the establishment of a Joint Working Group on trade issues, cooperation between the foreign service academies of both nations, collaboration between the Bangladesh State News Agency (BSS) and Pakistan’s Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), and a partnership between the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Pakistan’s Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar referenced unresolved matters from the 1971 liberation war, including the issue of a formal apology for atrocities committed during the conflict. Dar stated that two out of three pending issues had been addressed. Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, clarified that discussions on these historical matters remain ongoing, emphasizing that both countries plan to continue dialogue on unresolved issues.

During his visit, Dar also met with political figures, including BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. The BNP, formerly the main opposition party under the Sheikh Hasina administration, is considered a significant political player ahead of the upcoming elections. The meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, a party previously banned under the Hasina government, reflects continued diplomatic engagement across the political spectrum.

Observers note that India is closely monitoring the renewed engagement between Pakistan and Bangladesh, amid concerns that regional diplomatic shifts could influence political and strategic dynamics. While historical issues from 1971 remain sensitive, both countries appear focused on expanding cooperation in trade, diplomacy, and information exchange.

The agreements also highlight the countries’ willingness to explore partnerships in strategic and institutional areas, including think tank collaboration and foreign service training. Analysts suggest that these steps may strengthen regional stability by providing structured channels for dialogue and economic engagement.

The Pakistan-Bangladesh meetings mark a notable moment in the countries’ bilateral relations, combining historical reconciliation efforts with forward-looking cooperation in trade, media, and strategic studies. Both governments emphasized their commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue and addressing pending matters through diplomatic channels, siHow to fact-check these articles following these guidelines

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gnaling a potential reset in relations after decades of complex interactions.