Dhaka-Islamabad FOC on April 17 Set to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

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The diplomatic relationship between Dhaka and Islamabad is poised for a significant boost as the Dhaka–Islamabad Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) is scheduled to take place on April 17, 2025, marking a major milestone after a gap of nearly 15 years. Sources from Dhaka, Islamabad, and Karachi confirmed that the talks are expected to focus on a wide range of issues, with both sides eager to revive and strengthen ties that have faced numerous challenges in recent years.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Jashim Uddin, and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch, will lead their respective delegations at the FOC. In a follow-up development, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, is slated to hold a bilateral meeting with Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on April 22, 2025. These talks come after multiple attempts to organize the FOC were postponed due to various diplomatic hurdles, including tensions arising from Bangladesh's trial of war criminals. The last formal bilateral consultation took place in Islamabad in 2010.

Trade, connectivity, investment, cultural exchange, people-to-people ties, and military cooperation are expected to be central topics during the discussions, with both sides committed to improving bilateral relations. The FOC comes at a pivotal time, as Bangladesh pursues a more independent foreign policy, stepping away from its historic reliance on India. This shift follows over 17 years of tight regional alliances, and the government is now prioritizing broader global engagement.

Key diplomatic figures are set to meet on both sides of the negotiations. Initially, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch is expected to meet Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser to the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, for talks aimed at addressing critical issues. The growing importance of this meeting stems from the deteriorating relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan, which reached an all-time low during the last Awami League government, from 2009 to 2024, according to several diplomats involved in the negotiations.

The backdrop of the discussions also involves significant regional dynamics, such as Bangladesh’s ongoing meetings with China’s President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both of which have the potential to shape Dhaka’s foreign policy direction.

Sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh indicated that while diplomatic conversations will focus on normalizing relations, significant unresolved issues will need to be addressed. These include Pakistan's stance on the 1971 war crimes, the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, and Bangladesh’s rightful share of pre-1971 assets, among others. The long-standing demand for Pakistan’s formal apology for its role in the 1971 war remains a key issue for Dhaka.

Bangladesh has also expressed its concerns regarding the military personnel accused of atrocities during the war, as well as seeking compensation for the families of the victims. Discussions around these historical matters are expected to take a central role in the upcoming FOC, sources said.

In parallel, trade relations between the two nations, which have been sluggish, are also a key point of focus. The trade volume between Bangladesh and Pakistan currently hovers around 800-900 million US dollars, despite the significant economic potential both countries have. Officials in Dhaka and Islamabad have emphasized the need to remove bureaucratic obstacles, such as simplifying visa processes for business leaders, to expand trade further. The absence of direct flights between the two countries has been a longstanding challenge, but plans are underway to resolve this issue. Pakistan’s low-cost airline, Fly Jinnah, is expected to begin passenger flights to Bangladesh soon, which could enhance connectivity and trade.

In addition to the trade agenda, cultural exchange and academic cooperation will also be high on the agenda. Discussions are expected to explore ways to increase scholarships, foster intellectual exchanges, and collaborate on research projects in areas like science, technology, and social studies. Enhancing people-to-people ties through academic and cultural exchanges is seen as a key step towards long-term bilateral harmony.

Both governments are also examining the possibility of regular bilateral agreements on agricultural products such as rice, wheat, and sugar, in order to ensure price stability in both countries, especially in the wake of India's past export restrictions on these commodities.

Moreover, during the FOC, Bangladesh is likely to raise the issue of Pakistan’s continued support for regional cooperation within SAARC, seeking ways to enhance the framework and make it more dynamic. Trade and investment are expected to take a prominent position, with discussions about simplifying bureaucratic processes and exploring new business opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, education, and tourism.

On the business front, a Pakistani delegation led by the president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Atif Ikram Sheikh, recently met with Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser, Sk Bashir Uddin, to discuss bilateral trade and investment prospects. The delegation expressed interest in expanding trade across various sectors, including agriculture, education, and ceramics, as well as addressing obstacles such as visa restrictions and the lack of direct flight operations.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s new visa policy, which eliminates fees for citizens from 126 countries, including Bangladesh, has been hailed as a significant step towards improving bilateral relations. This new initiative aims to facilitate travel and boost diplomatic and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmad Maroof, announced that this policy is designed to strengthen relations and encourage more tourism, trade, and cultural interactions.

In conclusion, while the Dhaka-Islamabad FOC on April 17 will be a significant milestone in the relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan, much remains to be done to address historical grievances and build a more robust and mutually beneficial partnership. With continued dialogue, both countries have the potential to revive and strengthen ties across trade, culture, education, and beyond, providing a foundation for future cooperation.