• Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visits Bangladesh for the first time in 13 years.
• Six cooperation agreements signed, including visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders.
• Discussions emphasize strengthening economic, cultural, and youth exchanges between the two nations.
• Collaborative focus on revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
• Meetings with Bangladeshi leaders highlight a shift in diplomatic relations post-August 2024 uprising.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dhaka on Saturday for an official two-day visit, marking the first time a Pakistani foreign minister has visited Bangladesh in 13 years, following the recent thawing of relations between the two nations. The visit aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance trade following a significant political shift in Bangladesh, where former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government was ousted in August 2024, prompting a reevaluation of foreign relations, especially with Pakistan, according to Dawn and TRT World.

During his visit, Dar engaged with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, where they discussed ways to revitalize bilateral ties and enhance trade. Yunus emphasized the importance of engaging youth and increasing cultural exchanges, whereas Dar reiterated Pakistan's commitment to a cooperative relationship, stating that the vision of both countries around the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is strongly aligned, as reported by AA and Dawn.

Following talks with Yunus, six cooperation agreements were signed between the two countries, which include provisions for visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports. Other memoranda covered areas such as trade cooperation, cultural exchange programs, and collaboration between foreign service academies, indicating a robust effort to enhance bilateral ties, according to Dawn and TRT World.

Dar’s visit comes amid a notable shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy after Hasina's departure, with the interim government expressing a desire for improved relations with Pakistan. As a part of the visit, Dar met various political leaders, including Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, further emphasizing the momentum towards cooperation. He conveyed Pakistan’s goodwill to Zia and acknowledged her prior visit to Pakistan, fostering a sense of shared history, according to Dawn and AA.

The developments signify a crucial point in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, as both sides are now focusing on enhancing connectivity and trade ties while looking toward regional cooperation through SAARC. Dar’s statements underscored a commitment to move past historical grievances and to prioritize trade and diplomatic ties, reflecting new diplomatic dynamics in the region, as outlined by Dawn and India Times.