DHAKA, April 18, 2025 — In a landmark diplomatic development, Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed foreign secretary-level talks on Thursday for the first time in nearly 15 years, signaling a potential turning point in their historically strained relations. The meeting, held at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka, brought together Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and her Bangladeshi counterpart Masud Bin Momen, reigniting dialogue over long-standing unresolved issues dating back to the 1971 Liberation War.
Addressing questions that have emerged following the high-level engagement, Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, stated in a verified Facebook post on Friday that Bangladesh’s interim government is pursuing a “pro-Bangladesh” foreign policy, asserting national interest above historical hostilities. “There are countless examples in world history where former enemies have turned into allies,” he wrote, referencing France and England’s past centuries of war before joining forces in World War II, and the U.S. and Japan’s post-war alliance.
Azad Majumdar dismissed concerns that the government is leaning toward a “pro-Pakistan” stance, asserting that such narratives are often pushed by groups reluctant to fully accept Bangladesh’s independent identity. “Whatever may have happened in the past, our foreign policy going forward will be centered on Bangladesh’s own interests,” he affirmed.
The Deputy Press Secretary noted that the visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary was not devoid of hard truths. “She was reminded of unresolved issues, and the interim government wasted no time in taking the discussion from rhetoric to action in under 24 hours,” he said. Despite historical tensions, both sides expressed willingness to work together for mutual benefit.
One of the most emotionally charged issues that continues to hinder progress is the lack of a formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide and atrocities committed by its armed forces in 1971. “Even though many within Pakistan’s civil society, media, and intellectual circles believe an apology would be an act of goodwill, the country’s foreign office and military bureaucracy have consistently resisted the idea,” said Majumdar.
In the meeting, Bangladesh also raised the long-overdue issue of asset division following independence—an area largely ignored by past governments. Majumdar cited a 1974 provisional estimate that Pakistan owes Bangladesh $4.32 billion in shared reserves and development funds. Additionally, Bangladesh demanded the return of around $200 million in international aid intended for victims of the 1970 cyclone in then-East Pakistan. This aid was allegedly transferred to the Lahore branch of the State Bank of Pakistan during the war.
Another lingering issue discussed was the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. Pakistan had accepted only about 125,000 of the estimated 325,000 individuals in 79 camps across 14 districts of Bangladesh. Majumdar emphasized that the repatriation stalemate remains a significant obstacle to normalized bilateral ties.
Despite the unresolved grievances, Bangladesh stressed that the best path forward is dialogue. “After many years, Bangladesh has brought Pakistan back to the negotiating table, raised critical issues properly, and explored prospects for trade and economic cooperation,” said Majumdar.
He recalled that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus had previously called on Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to resolve pending matters during a meeting in Egypt last December. Yunus reiterated this call during Thursday’s discussions with Amna Baloch, emphasizing the importance of leveraging regional economic potential through stronger ties with neighboring countries, including Pakistan.
“In order to build a better future, perhaps it is time for Bangladesh and Pakistan to work together to resolve the past,” Majumdar concluded, echoing the evolving tone of pragmatic diplomacy now shaping Bangladesh’s foreign policy outlook.