Bangladesh, Pakistan resume talks after 15 years

Dhaka

Bangladesh and Pakistan held important diplomatic talks on Thursday, marking the first Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between the two countries in nearly 15 years. The meeting focused mostly on improving trade ties and overall relations.

The talks took place at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch led their respective delegations. The last such meeting was held in 2010.

This meeting comes just before Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s planned visit to Bangladesh. His upcoming trip will be the first by a Pakistani foreign minister since 2012.

Amna Baloch arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday. She is also expected to meet Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain later today.

Diplomatic ties between the two countries had been strained during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s time in office. The tension grew especially after Bangladesh put on trial those who had worked with Pakistani troops during the 1971 Liberation War.

However, relations between the two nations have improved recently. This shift began after the fall of Hasina’s government on August 5 last year, following a student-led uprising. The interim government under Professor Yunus has since worked to strengthen foreign relations, including with Pakistan.