For decades, though originally a part of the same state, Pakistan and Bangladesh, geographic neighbors, have remained diplomatically distant. The lingering legacy of 1971, deep-rooted political divisions, and India’s regional influence strained the Pak-Bangladesh relationship. However, shifting regional dynamics and recent political transitions in Bangladesh have opened the door for a much-needed recalibration of ties. Reinforcing this shift, former Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain stated that there was no longer any justification for strained ties with Pakistan, signaling a growing recognition among Bangladeshi officials of the need to reset historically strained bilateral relations.
Unlike past engagements that have been shaped by historical grievances and several other reasons, the evolving Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship is now increasingly driven by emerging realities. This includes expanding trade exchanges, growing military diplomacy, and high-level diplomatic exchanges, reflecting a growing recognition of mutual economic benefits by countries. China’s economic footprint definitely plays a pivotal role in the shift in the Pakistan–Bangladesh relationship, as it remains the major trading partner for both South Asian states for over two decades. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the prospective expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC+) offer significant economic incentives that could gradually override past animosities and improve relations further between the two parties.
If economic imperatives take precedence over political matters, Pakistan and Bangladesh could experience a transformational shift in their bilateral relationship. This, in turn, may reshape South Asia’s regional dynamics, where economic interdependence can replace historical divisions as the primary force driving cooperation between the two parties and stability in the region.
Pertinently saying, Bangladesh’s changing political landscape is reshaping its foreign policy priorities, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics. Under Sheikh Hasina’s decade-long leadership, especially since 2009, Dhaka aligned itself with New Delhi, creating deep strategic and economic ties with New Delhi, while keeping diplomatic engagement with Pakistan minimal. However, her departure in August 2024, following allegations of election rigging and mass protests, has set the stage for a more independent and diversified foreign policy approach.
Bangladesh’s interim government initiated a more autonomous foreign policy that diversified Dhaka’s external engagements beyond its traditional strategic orientation. This opened new diplomatic channels, including renewed engagement with Pakistan and enhanced cooperation with China. The diplomatic shift became particularly evident in December 2024, when Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the Developing-8 (D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation) Summit in Cairo. Their discussions focused on trade, energy cooperation, and maritime connectivity, marking an important step toward enhancing bilateral relations.
A breakthrough followed with the revival of direct cargo shipping between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the first such maritime link since 1971. Pakistani vessels were once again permitted to call at the Port of Chittagong, reducing reliance on indirect shipping routes and facilitating bilateral trade. The normalization process has continued under Bangladesh’s elected government. In 2026, Dhaka sent a delegation of senior civil servants to Pakistan’s Civil Services Academy for executive leadership training, the first structured bureaucratic exchange of its kind in decades, reflecting growing institutional cooperation between the two countries. This also reflects a growing realization that cooperation outweighs historical grievances, paving the way for a more pragmatic and mutually beneficial relationship.
Beyond trade, military diplomacy is also gaining momentum, signaling a broader shift in Pakistan-Bangladesh engagement. In early 2025, a Bangladesh Army delegation visited Pakistan to discuss joint training programs, defense cooperation, and potential military technology transfers, a significant departure from the earlier position of the parties and Dhaka’s previous reluctance to engage in security collaboration with Islamabad. Adding to this momentum, reports indicate that Bangladesh is considering acquiring JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, as part of its military modernization plan under the Forces Goal 2030.
These developments reflect Dhaka’s growing strategic flexibility, reinforcing the notion that economic pragmatism and security interests are gradually overriding historical hesitations in shaping the future of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. If materialized, this JF-17 deal would diversify Bangladesh’s defense procurement beyond its traditional partners and mark a milestone in defense cooperation.
China’s role in shaping Pakistan-Bangladesh relations cannot be ignored. China’s growing economic footprint in South Asia has become a key driver of Pakistan-Bangladesh engagement, promoting regional connectivity and trade integration. As the second and third largest trading partner of Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively, in South Asia, Beijing has actively promoted regional economic integration through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), reshaping the economic landscape.
Bangladesh’s trade with China surged to about $24 billion in 2023, surpassing its trade volume with India, which stood at $18 billion. China’s extensive infrastructure investments in Bangladesh, including the Padma Bridge, the Dhaka Metro Rail, and the Karnaphuli Tunnel, have significantly improved trade efficiency and strengthened Bangladesh’s position as a regional economic hub.
If Dhaka and Islamabad move closer and Dhaka joins the CPECs+, it could transform regional trade, granting direct access to Central Asia via Gwadar and Karachi ports. Meanwhile, Pakistan has already benefited from over $65 billion in Chinese investments through the CPEC, strengthening maritime trade, industrial zones, and energy security. The balancing of economic engagements, securing long-term trade benefits, and a formal Bangladesh-Pakistan integration into this framework could reshape South Asia’s trade architecture, strengthening and reshaping the regional supply chain.
Recent shifts in foreign policies suggest Dhaka actively diversifies its diplomatic and economic engagements. Bangladesh’s deepening trade ties with China and Pakistan indicate a deliberate effort to do so. If Dhaka fully integrates into the CPEC+ and Pakistan and Bangladesh expand their economic cooperation, these could significantly mark a potential realignment in South Asia’s economic dynamics.
While Pakistan and Bangladesh’s engagement is strengthening, its long-term sustainability requires institutional frameworks and confidence-building measures. Strengthening cultural exchanges, academic collaborations, and diplomatic initiatives will be important in increasing trust and mutual understanding between the two parties. The foundation for this new phase of engagement has already been established through tangible steps that demonstrate growing economic and diplomatic cooperation between Islamabad and Dhaka.
Recent developments between Bangladesh and Pakistan signal a new era of cooperation. In February 2025, direct trade resumed for the first time since 1971, with Pakistan’s first government-approved cargo shipment reaching Bangladesh. This was reinforced by a trade agreement finalized for Bangladesh to import 50,000 tons of Pakistani rice, and the establishment of a Joint Business Council to facilitate economic cooperation between the two countries.
Beyond trade, education, and mobility have also improved between the two parties. Pakistan has extended 300 fully funded scholarships to Bangladeshi students at the end of 2024, while visa restrictions have been eased, making travel between the two states more accessible than ever before. To institutionalize this economic cooperation, both states can formalize trade agreements under regional frameworks like the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) that unites 1.6 billion people across South Asia.
Reducing tariffs and expanding maritime trade routes beyond Karachi-Chittagong to include Gwadar, Mongla, and other seaports could unlock new trade corridors, enhancing a more integrated and efficient regional economic network. Engagement in the SAARC, the D-8, and the BRI-related forums will further solidify their economic partnership, while joint energy projects, LNG terminals, and infrastructure development will maximize economic interdependence.
The evolving relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh is in a transition from historical alienation to pragmatic cooperation, driven by economic necessity rather than ideology. If Islamabad and Dhaka remain committed to prioritizing trade and investment over historical divisions, they have the potential to enhance a more balanced, economically integrated South Asia, where economic pragmatism, rather than political rivalry, shapes the future of regional engagement.
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