In a move that could significantly alter South Asia’s geopolitical dynamics, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to engage in Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) with her Bangladeshi counterpart, Md Jashim Uddin. This high-level dialogue marks the first such engagement in 15 years, signaling Islamabad’s renewed efforts to reshape its regional strategy amid changing power equations in South Asia.
A Complicated History Since 1971
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have remained tense since the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, which led to East Pakistan’s secession and the birth of Bangladesh, with India playing a decisive role in supporting the independence movement.
Diplomatic ties remained particularly strained under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose government pursued war crimes trials against individuals accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces during the 1971 conflict. However, the recent political shift in Bangladesh—following a student-led uprising in August 2024 and the appointment of Muhammad Yunus as Chief Advisor—has opened the door for renewed engagement between Dhaka and Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Renewed Diplomatic Outreach
According to media reports, Pakistan has employed quiet diplomacy and third-party intermediaries to rekindle ties with Bangladesh. In mid-2023, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari publicly expressed Islamabad’s desire to “reset” relations. Since then, informal delegations comprising academics and trade representatives have visited Dhaka.
Pakistan has also ramped up cultural and educational diplomacy, offering scholarships to Bangladeshi students and promoting people-to-people exchanges.
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What are Pakistan’s Strategic Objectives
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Reintegration in the Region: Facing isolation amid strained ties with India and ongoing instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan is looking to reestablish strategic, economic, and political connections in South Asia—starting with Bangladesh.
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Counterbalancing India: Given India’s deep-rooted cultural, economic, and historical links with Bangladesh, Pakistan’s move is seen as an attempt to dilute New Delhi’s influence in Dhaka.
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Tapping Economic Potential: Bangladesh’s strategic location near the Bay of Bengal and its fast-growing economy make it an attractive partner for trade and connectivity.
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Strengthening the China Axis: Islamabad may also be seeking to align with Dhaka under a broader China-friendly regional framework. With Bangladesh already part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Pakistan is positioning itself as a partner in a potentially China-led bloc.
Implications for India
India is expected to closely monitor this evolving relationship, particularly given its substantial investments in Bangladesh across infrastructure, trade, energy, and security sectors. Below are some of India’s major concerns.
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Strategic Concerns: The growing trilateral dynamic between China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—marked by robust Beijing-Islamabad ties and Dhaka’s expanding relationship with China—could pose a complex security challenge for India.
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Defence Alignment: Both Pakistan and Bangladesh procure military equipment from China. Any deepening of defence ties between the three could raise concerns for India, especially regarding potential encirclement.
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Maritime Security: China’s increasing naval footprint in the Bay of Bengal, coupled with improved Pakistan-Bangladesh defence coordination, could impact India’s maritime dominance in the region.
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Diplomatic Pressure: Strengthened Bangladesh ties could allow China and Pakistan to apply coordinated pressure on India in multilateral forums.
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India’s Possible Diplomatic Response
India must double down on its efforts to maintain and strengthen its strategic partnership with Bangladesh by:
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Reinforcing cultural and historical bonds.
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Expanding economic and connectivity projects.
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Addressing sensitive issues, such as minority rights and cross-border security concerns, with diplomatic tact.
Relations between New Delhi and Dhaka took a hit following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in 2024, which was followed by a rise in attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. During a recent meeting with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus at the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Yunus, in turn, brought up Dhaka’s request for Hasina’s extradition—she is currently believed to be in India.
The meeting highlighted growing tensions, especially after Yunus’s comments in Beijing suggesting that Bangladesh is the “only guardian of the ocean” for landlocked northeastern India—remarks that were not well received in Delhi. Modi responded firmly, stating that “rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided.”
Still, the Indian government reaffirmed its commitment to a “people-centric” relationship with Bangladesh, emphasizing the tangible benefits brought about by years of bilateral cooperation. India is expected to continue investing in naval capabilities and pursue deeper economic engagement with Dhaka to counterbalance any growing influence from Pakistan and China.
