Pakistan, Bangladesh expand engagement as Naqvi holds high-level talks in Dhaka

Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to broaden cooperation in trade, business and cultural fields while also reviewing regional developments and bilateral diplomatic engagement during high-level talks in Dhaka, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, with the Interior Ministry sharing details on social media platform X.

Both sides held what was described as a detailed exchange of views on bilateral relations and the regional situation, including Pakistan’s “reconciliatory role.” During the interaction, the Bangladeshi minister appreciated Pakistan’s position regarding the United States–Iran conflict.

A key focus of the meeting was economic cooperation, with both countries agreeing to enhance collaboration in trade, business and cultural sectors. It was also decided to increase exchanges of delegations to strengthen commercial and cultural ties.

Naqvi highlighted investment opportunities in Pakistan, while discussions also included arrangements for a possible future visit of the Bangladeshi minister to Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Secretary Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Director General South Asia Ishrat Jahan, Director Shamima Yasmin, and Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Haider.

The engagement comes during Naqvi’s two-day visit to Bangladesh and follows his meeting with Bangladeshi Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed a day earlier.

During that earlier meeting, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in combating drug smuggling, narcotics trafficking and drug abuse. The agreement also included enhanced coordination between agencies to disrupt illicit supply networks.

Both countries agreed to improve intelligence sharing on drug trafficking groups, expand joint training programmes, and adopt modern technology for enforcement purposes. A secretary-level joint working group between the two interior ministries was also agreed upon to institutionalise cooperation.

The recent developments are part of a broader shift in Pakistan–Bangladesh relations following political changes in Dhaka in August 2024, after which bilateral engagement has gradually expanded after years of limited interaction.

Since then, both countries have increased contacts in diplomatic and security domains, including defence-related discussions and broader efforts to expand cooperation in trade, education, media and cultural exchange.