The writer is an economist, anchor, geo-political analyst
and the President of All Pakistan Private Schools’ Federation
president@Pakistanprivateschools.com
In a momentous occasion, fostering the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding, Lieutenant General S M Kamr-ul-Hassan, Principal Staff Officer of Bangladesh’s Armed Forces Division, engaged in a cordial meeting with General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. This auspicious gathering served as a pivotal platform for reinforcing bilateral military cooperation, navigating the intricacies of evolving regional security dynamics, and reaffirming the importance of a resilient and enduring defense relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The leaders converging in their stance, underscored the imperative of collective efforts in promoting peace and stability, not only within the realm of South Asia but also extending beyond its borders. As a testament to their shared commitment, both nations expressed a fervent desire to explore avenues of collaborative endeavors, encompassing exchange initiatives and enhanced training efforts, thereby fortifying the foundations of their bilateral relationship. General Syed Asim Munir has played a crucial role in promoting stability and strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh. As the Chief of Army Staff, he has underscored the importance of collective efforts in promoting peace and stability, not only in South Asia but also globally by: Reinforcing bilateral military cooperation; Promoting peace and stability; and by encouraging collaborative endeavors. General Munir’s policy approach prioritizes geoeconomics over geopolitics, aiming to transform Pakistan into a regional power and security actor. Overall, General Asim Munir’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening Pakistan’s relations with Bangladesh, promoting regional stability, and advancing the country’s national interests. It is with great fortitude that Pakistan has endeavored to strengthen its ties with Bangladesh, a nation with which it shares a complex and storied past. By supporting the student movement that ultimately led to the downfall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Pakistan has demonstrated its commitment to fostering a new era of cooperation and diplomacy between the two nations. In the aftermath of this regime change, Pakistan has redoubled its efforts to solidify bilateral relations with Bangladesh, pursuing a multifaceted approach that encompasses both diplomatic initiatives and economic trade agreements. The introduction of a novel visa policy and discussions pertaining to agricultural imports serve as testament to Pakistan’s unwavering dedication to this endeavor. However, it is inevitable that India would regard this burgeoning influence with a certain degree of trepidation. Notwithstanding, Pakistan remains resolute in its pursuit of revitalizing its bilateral relationship with Bangladesh, thereby reasserting its presence in the region and counterbalancing India’s influence. Indeed, Pakistan’s burgeoning interest in Bangladesh’s internal politics, as evidenced by its alleged ties to the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement, underscores its strategic pivot towards reclaiming its erstwhile sphere of influence in East Pakistan. The relinquishment of power by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, thereby concluding her 15-year tenure, is poised to engender profound implications for the region, particularly with regard to the recalibration of Pakistan’s diplomatic stance towards Bangladesh. Certain quarters within the Indian media have intimated that Pakistani and Chinese intelligence agencies may have played a clandestine role in fomenting the protests that ultimately precipitated Hasina’s downfall, with some reports suggesting a collaborative effort between Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Although these allegations remain unsubstantiated, they do underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. It is conceivable that Pakistan and China may seek to fortify their ties with Bangladesh, potentially at the expense of India’s influence in the region. Notably, the strong rapport between Bangladesh and India during Hasina’s tenure was perceived by Pakistan as inimical to its interests. However, with Hasina’s departure, the dynamics of Bangladesh’s political landscape are likely to undergo a significant shift. The demise of a leader perceived as sympathetic to India’s security and trade interests in Bangladesh constitutes a considerable blow to New Delhi. Islamabad, meanwhile, may seek to reinvigorate ties with Bangladesh and diminish India’s influence in the country. Pakistan’s inaugural statement following Hasina’s ouster underscored the absence of cordiality between the two nations, with Pakistani officials expressing solidarity with the Bangladeshi people and commending their resilience in the face of corruption.
Gen. Munir’s policy approach prioritizes geoeconomics over geopolitics, aiming to transform Pakistan into a regional power and security actor. Gen Asim’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening Pakistan’s relations with Bangladesh, promoting geopolitical stability, and advancing the country’s national interests.
Pakistan’s engagement with Bangladesh appears to be rooted in a two-fold strategy. First, it seeks to reestablish stronger ties with Dhaka, leveraging the new leadership’s presumed openness to fostering relations that were frosty under Sheikh Hasina’s government. Second, Pakistan aims to counter India’s influence in Bangladesh, aligning with regional actors who might support its stance against New Delhi’s influence in South Asia. It is evident that Pakistan seeks to harness the momentum of the regime change in Bangladesh, with a view to revitalizing bilateral relations and potentially reasserting its influence in the region, thereby counterbalancing the sway wielded by India. As the incoming government in Bangladesh endeavours to maintain a semblance of neutrality, eschewing the perception of partisanship, Pakistan must navigate this nascent landscape with prudent caution. The erstwhile government’s vitriolic anti-Pakistan narrative, which had erstwhile predominated the discourse, may now subside, affording Pakistan an opportune moment to proffer mutually beneficial bilateral ties and collaborative endeavours. Nevertheless, Pakistan’s diplomatic overtures must be tempered by a nuanced understanding of the internal dynamics that drove the protests in Bangladesh, rather than attributing them to extraneous influences. The invocation of the 1971 independence movement during the protests served not as a testament to any burgeoning pro-Pakistan sentiment, but rather as a scathing indictment of the outgoing government’s recourse to pejorative labelling, which only served to exacerbate the unrest. As the situation in Bangladesh continues to unfold, the international community remains keenly attentive, cognizant that the choices made by the interim government will have far-reaching implications for the geopolitical dynamics of South Asia, including the complex and oft-tenuous relationship between Pakistan and India. It is with great fervour that Pakistan nurtures its profound bond with Bangladesh, a relationship rooted in the shared heritage of faith, history, and tradition. The two nations have long enjoyed a thriving commerce, with vast prospects for future collaboration in the realms of trade, economics, and people-to-people exchanges, poised to yield mutual benefits of considerable magnitude. In recent times, Pakistan’s leadership has evinced a keen interest in cultivating ties with Bangladesh’s institutions, exemplified by the Pakistani High Commissioner’s initiatives in September to fortify academic and cultural links between the two nations. Furthermore, Pakistan has undertaken a diplomatic endeavour to revitalize relations with Dhaka, introducing a new visa policy that facilitates travel between the two countries, and engaging in extensive outreach efforts with key advisors of the interim government. The Chief Adviser to the interim administration, Md Yunus, and the Pakistani Prime Minister have already convened on two occasions since September, underscoring the renewed vigour in bilateral relations. In the realm of economic cooperation, Islamabad has intensified efforts to revitalize trade ties with Dhaka, focusing on a diverse array of goods, including agricultural imports, which are poised to experience significant growth in the wake of Bangladesh’s interest in importing Pakistani agro-products. Moreover, the prospects for enhanced defence collaboration between Pakistan and Bangladesh appear promising, with Pakistan’s longstanding presence in Bangladesh poised to contribute meaningfully to the stability and prosperity of the South Asian region.
The erstwhile tranquil landscape of South Asian politics has undergone a profound metamorphosis over the past three years, beset as it has been by seismic shifts in the region’s geopolitical dynamics. Pakistan, in particular, has emerged as a beacon of stability amidst the tumult, its resilience in the face of adversity a testament to the indomitable spirit of its people. While the Taliban’s ascendancy in Afghanistan in August 2021, Pakistan has adroitly navigated the treacherous waters of realpolitik, deftly balancing its relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the preservation of its national interests. The ouster of Imran Khan as Prime Minister in April 2022, far from plunging the country into chaos, served as a catalyst for the reaffirmation of Pakistan’s democratic values, as the nation seamlessly transitioned to a new government. In stark contrast, the neighbourhood has been roiled by upheaval, with Sri Lanka’s Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country in the aftermath of massive protests in July 2022, and Bangladesh’s PM Sheikh Hasina tendering her resignation amidst ongoing unrest. As the region continues to grapple with the fallout of these developments, Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to democratic principles and its demonstrated ability to navigate the complexities of geopolitics render it an oasis of stability in a desert of uncertainty. The evolving bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been a subject of considerable interest in recent times. As the two nations are poised to embark on a fresh start, leaving the tumultuous past behind. The change in government in Bangladesh has paved the way for increased interaction, with significant uptick in meetings and engagements with the governments. This heightened collaboration is a positive harbinger for bilateral relations, as the two nations seek to converge their interests and foster a spirit of cooperation. Countries should develop bilateral relations based on mutual interests, rather than at the expense of a third party. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India should pursue their bilateral relations independently, without allowing them to harm or antagonize a third party. The preservation and promotion of shared cultural heritage can serve as a powerful binding force, fostering greater understanding and cooperation between nations. The establishment of direct shipping lines and the enhancement of trade ties can play a crucial role in strengthening economic relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. The revival of SAARC, a Bangladeshi initiative, can foster regional integration and collaboration, mirroring the evolution of the European Union. Bilateral issues should not hinder a regional body; they should be addressed separately, independent of the multilateral process. Pakistan and India have their own issues, which should be resolved bilaterally, without impacting the SAARC process. The process should continue without becoming hostage to bilateral disputes. So, it is possible to separate the SAARC process from bilateral issues. The challenge is that while all the countries are interested, India is not fully on board and often introduces additional complexities. Otherwise, the rest of the countries in the region are ready to move forward. Defense cooperation under any regime should not pose an issue. As of now, we have good training exchanges between the Pakistani and Bangladeshi armed forces. Pakistani officers have been undergoing training in various institutions in Bangladesh for a long time. Similarly, Bangladeshi officers also participate in training programs in Pakistan, including mid-level and high-level training sessions. This exchange fosters mutual understanding and cooperation. When the interests of two countries align, cooperation naturally develops in areas like culture, politics, economics, and trade. As the vestiges of yesteryear’s animosities gradually relinquish their tenacious grasp, a nascent era of cooperation and reconciliation dawns upon us. The fetters of a bygone era, once a formidable impediment to progress, are being cast aside as we collectively strive for a tabula rasa – a fresh commencement unencumbered by the burdens of the past. Thus, with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared vision for a more harmonious future, both nations are presently engaged in deliberations aimed at resolving the outstanding issues, though a definitive accord has yet to be reached.