Pakistan-bangladesh relations: After a long gap of about 15 years, an important Foreign Office Consultation – FOC is going to be an important Foreign Secretary between Bangladesh and Pakistan. The meeting will be held in Dhaka on Thursday (April 17), which will include Foreign Secretary Ammana Baloch from Pakistan and Jasimuddin, Advisor to the Ministry of External Affairs from Bangladesh. The meeting is taking place at a time when the role of Bangladeshi terrorist organizations has come to light after the violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal. In such a situation, strategic significance for India has increased considerably.

This is the first time since 2010 when the top diplomat officials of both countries will be face to face. Although both sides have not made any special agenda public for the meeting, it is believed that in addition to bilateral relations, issues like shared strategy, trade, security, and transportation can be discussed about India. Apart from this, Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is also going to visit Dhaka in the last week of April, which will be the first visit of a Pakistani Foreign Minister after 2012.

Open paths for Pakistan after the arrival of Yunus government
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh government had taken a tough stand for Pakistan for the last 15 years, but the interim government of Mohammad Yunus, who recently to power, has laid a “red carpet” for Pakistan. Its effect is now clearly visible in diplomatic activities. In the last few months, Pakistan Army and ISI officials have also visited Bangladesh, which indicates that Islamabad is trying to strengthen its hold in Dhaka.

ISI and Pakistan’s growing interest
Experts believe that Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI is now playing an active role in Bangladesh. The main objective behind this may be to create instability in the eastern border areas of India, establish cyber networks, and support local radical organizations.

Pakistan is also working towards advancing business relations with Bangladesh. However, geographical distance and transport costs are a major obstacle in it. High commissioner Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan in Pakistan, Bangladesh, says that if the logistic cost can be cut, then imports from Pakistan can also be higher.

Preparation for direct flight and business agreement
The scheme of direct flights between the two countries is also actively running. Pakistan’s two private airlines – fly Jinnah and Air Seal – have sought permission from Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation Authority to start flights to Dhaka.