Bangladesh has recently demanded a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed during the 1971 war for independence, a conflict that concluded with over 90,000 Pakistani security and civilian personnel surrendering to the joint command of Indian and Bangladeshi forces. This demand comes as the Pakistani establishment seeks to revive ties with Bangladeshi Islamist parties, such as Jamaat-e-Islami, which supported Islamabad during the independence war. The evolving relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan is being closely monitored by India, which has historically had hostile relations with Pakistan and sees a stable Bangladesh as crucial for peace in its north-eastern states.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have begun reconciling their past differences through various diplomatic engagements. In January, a high-level Bangladeshi military delegation visited Pakistan and conducted talks with influential army chief General Asim Munir. Following this, the Bangladeshi navy participated in a multinational maritime exercise organized by Pakistan off the Karachi coast in February. Additionally, the two nations have initiated direct trade, with Dhaka importing 50,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan last month. Despite these developments, the division of pre-1971 assets remains a contentious issue in bilateral meetings.
The apology demand from Bangladesh is significant as it represents a major obstacle in improving bilateral relations. Ikram Sehgal noted, "The main stumbling block in bilateral ties is the requirement of the Bangladeshis that Pakistanis should apologise for what happened in 1971." Humayun Kabir also emphasized the need for Pakistan to acknowledge its past actions, stating, "Pakistan needs to own the crimes that had taken place during the independence war."
The geopolitical implications of the evolving Bangladesh-Pakistan relationship are profound. Veena Sikri highlighted that "It's a major security concern for India." Bangladesh's long, porous border with India allows armed insurgent groups from India's north-eastern states to cross over easily, making regional stability a priority for New Delhi. During the 1971 war, India supported Bengali rebels, contributing to Bangladesh's eventual independence.
In April, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to visit Dhaka to address several issues, including the division of pre-1971 assets. This visit could potentially ease tensions or exacerbate existing disagreements between the two countries. The move to engage with Bangladeshi Islamist parties like Jamaat-e-Islami has been observed closely by India, as Veena Sikri remarked, "It's not just the military relationship. The Pakistani establishment is also reviving ties with Bangladeshi Islamist parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami."
The current Bangladeshi government has adopted foreign policy priorities distinct from those of its predecessor, which was strongly supported by India. This shift has contributed to warming relations with Pakistan, reminiscent of cordial ties between 2001 and 2006 when a coalition of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami governed the country. Ayesha Siddiqa commented on this dynamic, asserting, "Pakistan and Bangladesh have a tactical relationship at the moment. Together, they want to represent a pushback against the dominance of India."
However, allegations persist regarding Pakistan's covert activities in Bangladesh. The ISI has been accused of working to reopen a camp for an Indian insurgent group in Bangladesh, although Pakistan has denied these accusations. Such claims add complexity to the already fragile relationship between the two nations.
Despite recent diplomatic and trade initiatives, historical grievances continue to overshadow Bangladesh-Pakistan relations. Humayun Kabir noted that "For the past 15 years, the Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship was on a slightly difficult trajectory." Nonetheless, he acknowledged ongoing efforts to address unresolved issues: "We had also raised the issue of the division of pre-1971 assets between the two nations in several bilateral meetings with Pakistan."
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