Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, expressed his intent to strengthen relations with Pakistan, calling for the resolution of lingering grievances from the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh's independence. The move, announced on Thursday (November 19), could add strain to Bangladesh's already delicate relationship with India.

Yunus met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a conference in Egypt, where the two leaders discussed ways to address the historical tensions stemming from the bloody separation of the two nations in 1971. “The issues keep resurfacing,” Yunus said in a statement. “Let’s resolve them so we can move forward.”

Sharif described the interaction as “warm and cordial,” adding on social media platform X, “Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to deepen bilateral and multilateral collaboration.” Both leaders emphasized the importance of fostering ties through increased trade, cultural exchanges, and sporting delegations, according to Yunus’ office.

The renewed cooperation has already seen progress, with the first direct cargo shipment between Pakistan and Bangladesh in decades successfully docking in Chittagong last month.

The two leaders were attending a summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which brings together eight Muslim-majority countries. Yunus also highlighted his determination to revitalize the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), an eight-nation bloc that has been largely inactive due to longstanding tensions between Pakistan and India.

“This is a top priority,” Yunus said. “I want a SAARC summit, even if it’s just for a photo session, because that alone would send a strong message.”

Yunus’ remarks and his outreach to Pakistan mark a significant shift in Bangladesh's foreign policy, potentially redefining the dynamics in South Asia.
 

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