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Amna Baloch Arrives in Dhaka for Key Foreign Office Consultations After 15 Years
After a 15-year diplomatic gap, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch arrives in Dhaka for crucial Foreign Office Consultations to strengthen ties with Bangladesh.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-17
Amna Baloch Arrives in Dhaka for Key Foreign Office Consultations After 15 Years

In a major step towards improving diplomatic ties, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch, arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday to lead the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Pakistan and Bangladesh. This marks the first such engagement in 15 years, following a period of strained relations between the two nations.

Since the separation of Pakistan and Bangladesh, Dhaka’s leadership, particularly under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has maintained close ties with India, often keeping Islamabad at a distance. However, a shift in the political landscape has opened the door to warmer relations. After a popular uprising in Bangladesh in August of last year, which saw the ousting of Hasina’s government, relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have begun to improve.

With the change in leadership, trade and bilateral relations have notably strengthened, creating an atmosphere conducive to dialogue. Amna Baloch was warmly welcomed by the Director General of Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry, Ishrat Jahan, signaling a mutual desire for deeper engagement. During the FOC, both sides will discuss all bilateral issues, seeking to build on the momentum of recent improvements.

In addition to the consultations, it is expected that Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit Bangladesh on April 27-28, continuing the momentum of diplomatic engagement. The recent telephone conversation between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, also reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

The rekindling of trade ties has been a significant development. In February 2024, Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed direct government-to-government trade, importing 50,000 tonnes of rice. In a further sign of improving relations, direct private trade was re-established in November 2024 with the first cargo ship sailing from Karachi to Chittagong in decades.

This thaw in relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh marks a new chapter in their diplomatic history, as both countries look to foster stronger economic, political, and cultural ties moving forward.
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Pakistan

Bangladesh

ForeignRelations
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