JEDDAH: Pakistan and Bangladesh on Sunday reviewed the state of their bilateral relations in diverse fields, especially high-level exchanges, trade, and educational collaboration
The discussions took place during a meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Md Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, met with the Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Md. Touhid Hossain, on sidelines of the Extraordinary Session of the OIC CFM Meeting in Jeddah.
Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction over… pic.twitter.com/rnXvhBFHNZ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 11, 2026
The two sides discussed cooperation in diverse fields, with a particular focus on enhancing high-level exchanges, expanding trade links, and strengthening educational collaboration. Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the robustness of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.
They also discussed a range of regional and global issues.
Pakistan and Bangladesh are experiencing a rapid warming of relations, marked by increased defence, economic, and diplomatic engagement since late 2024, driven by political shifts in Bangladesh.
High-level visits, including Pakistani Deputy PM Dar’s visit to Dhaka, and increased dialogue signal a new era of partnership, with both nations seeking stronger security cooperation.
When Pakistan’s Deputy Ishaq Dar landed at Dhaka airport on August 23, it was the first time in 13 years that such a senior Pakistani official had visited Bangladesh.
Dar termed his visit as “historic”, the start of “a new phase of our reinvigorated partnership”.
His visit symbolised a breakthrough after months of diplomatic and military engagements between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Relations have warmed rapidly since the August 2024 ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after a violent uprising. New Delhi has angered Dhaka by not accepting its repeated requests to extradite the former Bangladeshi premier.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan visited Pakistan and held meetings with the country’s military leadership.
On January 8, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan called on Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics and avenues for enhancing bilateral defence and military cooperation were discussed,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan military’s media wing, said in a statement.
“Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening professional collaboration, training exchanges and defence ties between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh Air Chief appreciated Pakistan’s armed forces for their contributions toward regional peace and stability, the ISPR said. Field Marshal Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering enduring defence relations with Bangladesh, the statement added.
The same day, Khan met Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad. Both discussed the evolving regional security paradigm and strengthening their bilateral defense cooperation, the ISPR said.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Khan held talks on the possible procurement of the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed with China, in Islamabad.
