Dhaka Seeks Closer South Asia Ties with Pro-Bangladesh Policy

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said Bangladesh wants to enhance and further improve the relations with all the South Asian countries, including with India and Pakistan, while its foreign policy remains pro-Bangladesh.

“Our foreign policy is a pro-Bangladesh one,” he told reporters while responding to a question regarding the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar later this month.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury and Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the briefing on LDC graduation at the Foreign Service Academy.

Referring to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’ repeated calls for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) as a top platform for regional cooperation in South Asia during his conversations at home and abroad, Alam said Bangladesh wants improved relations with the Saarc countries.  

“He (Dr Yunus) is seeking improved relations with all in the South Asian family. Pakistan is also part of the South Asian family. We want improved relations with India, Bhutan and Nepal, too,” said the Press Secretary.

He said the interim government has taken a decision to set up an economic zone for Nepal and is looking for land in the North Bengal area which is part of efforts to have improved relations with the South Asia family.

Alam said the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan is coming and there will be discussions on all issues of mutual interest.

Before Ishaq Dar’s visit, its Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch will visit Dhaka on Wednesday to hold talks with her Bangladesh counterpart Md Jashim Uddin.

Ishaq Dar’s upcoming trip to Dhaka will mark the first visit by a Pakistani Foreign Minister since 2012.

On Sunday, National Security Adviser and Chief Adviser’s High Representative on the Rohingya issue and priority matters Dr Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh’s foreign policy is now entirely its own, no longer reliant on any other country to shape it.

"We are no longer reliant on any country to shape it. This marks a clear reflection of our strategic autonomy," he said while speaking at a seminar.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain confirmed that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will pay an official visit this month.

Asked about the issues to be discussed during the visit, Hossain said they will discuss all aspects of the relations, reports UNB.