In a major diplomatic development, Bangladesh and Pakistan held their first foreign secretary-level talks in 15 years in Dhaka on Thursday, according to a PTI report.
During the meeting, Bangladesh highlighted long-standing historical issues and demanded a public apology from Pakistan for the 1971 atrocities.
In a major diplomatic development, Bangladesh and Pakistan held their first foreign secretary-level talks in 15 years in Dhaka on Thursday, according to a PTI report.
During the meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin and Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Bangladesh highlighted long-standing historical issues and demanded a public apology from Pakistan for the 1971 atrocities.
It is also noted that the foreign secretary-level talks took place amid a thaw in relations between the two countries following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin said, "We have raised historically unresolved issues with Pakistan, including the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis,' following his meeting with Pakistani counterpart Amna Baloch at the Padma state guest house, ANI reported.
The foreign secretary asked Pakistan to release the unpaid USD 200 million in foreign donations intended for victims of the 1970s cyclone in then East Pakistan.
Jashim Uddin said Dhaka also underscored the importance of strengthening economic and trade relations with Islamabad.
“We stressed the need for enhanced market access for Bangladeshi products in Pakistan, simplifying trade procedures, removing tariff barriers, and boosting Pakistani investment in Bangladesh,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
Later, Baloch called on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain separately.
According to reports, Yunus emphasised strengthening relations with Pakistan to boost mutual cooperation and explore trade and business potentials.
"There are certain hurdles. We have to find ways to overcome those and move forward," he told Baloch.
Acknowledging past issues, Baloch said Bangladesh and Pakistan must find ways to “harness the potentials between the two countries."
"We kept missing each other for a long time as our relationship was frozen. We have to overcome the barriers,” Yunus said as he recalled his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA in September last year and in Cairo on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in December.
In response, Pakistan's Foreign Office said that both sides had a constructive and forward-looking engagement in a cordial environment where the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relations came under discussion, including political, economic and trade relations.
It added that cooperation in agriculture, environment and education; cultural exchanges; and defence relations were also discussed, and new avenues of cooperation were explored by the two sides.
The two sides also discussed enhancing cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and livestock through technology transfer, improved breeds and experience sharing to enhance productivity.