Pakistan, Bangladesh Vow to Boost Bilateral Ties at UN Meet

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Pakistan and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, and Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md. Touhid Hossain. The meeting took place on July 28, 2025, during the International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations headquarters in New York. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in political, economic, and cultural areas. They also emphasized the need for continued high-level engagement to rebuild trust and foster mutual development.

This latest interaction marks the fourth such engagement between the two countries since October 2024 and follows the ouster of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. It also builds on tangible progress in bilateral ties. Notably, in November 2024, Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed direct maritime trade for the first time in decades. A Pakistani cargo vessel docked at Chittagong Port, reportedly cutting transit times from over 40 days to approximately 10 to 12 days. This development has helped improve trade logistics and signaled renewed commercial momentum.

Both countries have also taken steps to ease travel. Bangladesh has reportedly relaxed visa restrictions for Pakistani citizens, while Pakistan has waived visa fees for Bangladeshi travelers. An agreement for visa-free travel for diplomatic and official passport holders is reportedly close to finalization, following Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s visit to Dhaka on July 23, 2025.

Cooperation has extended beyond commerce. Bangladesh’s navy participated in Pakistan’s multinational Aman-2025 naval exercise, and discussions on further defense collaboration, including possible arms agreements, are under consideration. Foreign Secretary-level talks also resumed in April 2025 for the first time in 15 years, covering trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Both governments aim to significantly expand their $900 million trade volume, with Pakistan eyeing increased exports in sectors such as sugar and textiles.

The renewed diplomatic engagement reflects a strategic recalibration by both nations. Moving beyond past tensions, Pakistan and Bangladesh appear increasingly aligned in fostering regional stability and balanced ties. Their cooperation may also serve to diversify regional partnerships and encourage multipolar engagement within South Asia.