Pakistan and Bangladesh Strengthen Ties Amid Changing Geopolitical Dynamics and Shared Concerns About India

Department of Research, Studies and International News  17-01-2025

In a significant shift in South Asia’s geopolitical landscape, Pakistan and Bangladesh have been drawing closer together following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s long-serving prime minister. This rapprochement comes amidst a shared skepticism towards India, which has influenced political narratives in both nations.

The flags of Pakistan and Bangladesh stood as symbols of camaraderie during a recent meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, and Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan from Bangladesh. Their discussions marked a high point in Hassan’s visit to Pakistan, which also included meetings with other senior military officials. In its official statement, Pakistan’s military described the nations as “brotherly,” signaling a newfound warmth in relations.

This development contrasts sharply with the decades of tension between the two countries, stemming from Bangladesh’s violent independence struggle in 1971. Relations soured further during Sheikh Hasina’s nearly 16-year tenure, as she maintained close ties with India, Pakistan’s regional rival. However, her ouster in August, after mass protests, has created an opportunity for a reset, driven in part by anti-India sentiment prevalent in both countries.

General Munir and Lieutenant General Hassan emphasized the importance of strengthening military ties and pledged to shield their partnership from external pressures. Their meeting is one of several high-level engagements between the two nations. Notably, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, on the sidelines of an international summit in Cairo last month, following an earlier meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Additionally, Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh soon, marking the first such visit in over a decade.

Analysts suggest that strained relations between India and Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina’s rule have prompted the interim government in Dhaka to reconsider its foreign policy priorities. Hasina’s administration faced criticism for alleged human rights abuses and a heavy-handed approach to dissent, which culminated in her forced departure. Dhaka’s new leadership has even called on India to extradite Hasina to face charges, though New Delhi has not responded to the request.

India’s concerns, particularly over the treatment of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, have further strained bilateral relations. Bangladeshi officials have dismissed these concerns as baseless and accused Indian media of spreading misinformation.

Ashraf Qureshi, a former Pakistani diplomat, notes that Bangladesh may adopt a more independent foreign policy stance compared to Hasina’s era but is unlikely to align against India entirely. Similarly, Walter Ladwig of King’s College London highlights that while recent developments are promising, they must be accompanied by substantial policy changes to significantly alter regional geopolitics.

The warming ties between Islamabad and Dhaka also have economic implications. Bangladesh’s economy has been growing steadily, with an impressive growth rate of 6% since 2021. In contrast, Pakistan’s economy has struggled, achieving only 2.5% growth last year. Trade between the two countries remains imbalanced, with Pakistan exporting goods worth $661 million to Bangladesh in 2023, while importing just $57 million.