At a time when India’s relationship with Bangladesh is going through a rough phase, Pakistan has extended an unexpected offer to Dhaka — access to the Karachi Port, one of its most important trade hubs. According to a report by Pakistan’s Samaa TV on October 28, this move could significantly expand Bangladesh’s global trade connections and marks a new chapter in its regional outreach.
The development came just a day after Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus presented a controversial gift to a visiting Pakistani general in Dhaka — a map that inaccurately depicted Assam and other northeastern states as part of India. The gesture stirred unease in New Delhi, adding another layer of tension to an already strained relationship.
The offer was reportedly made during the ninth meeting of the Pakistan–Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC), held in Dhaka — the first such meeting in two decades. The session was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez and Bangladesh’s Finance Advisor, marking what could be the start of a renewed diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
In a joint statement, both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between their national shipping corporations, with the Karachi Port Trust offering to serve as a gateway for Bangladesh’s international trade.
Beyond maritime collaboration, the discussions also paved the way for deeper ties across several other sectors. Both countries agreed to promote investment, industrial growth, tourism, and renewable energy initiatives, along with joint efforts in education, healthcare, and climate change. Plans were also made to begin direct flights between the two nations to boost business and people-to-people ties.
In addition, the Pakistan Halal Food Authority and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute signed a memorandum of cooperation to enhance quality control standards. This agreement aims to help both countries expand their reach in the growing global halal market.
The timing of Pakistan’s outreach is significant. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been under increasing pressure as trade relations with India have soured. Since the start of 2025, India has imposed restrictions on several Bangladeshi imports, including jute and processed foods, in response to Dhaka’s move to block Indian yarn exports.
With former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina now living in exile in India after being ousted in a youth-led uprising, the political climate in Bangladesh has shifted. Yunus has been openly critical of India, especially after New Delhi voiced concern over the treatment of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s renewed engagement with Bangladesh carries symbolic and strategic weight. The two nations, once part of the same country before Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, are finding new ways to cooperate — this time with India caught in the middle of shifting regional dynamics.
