Pakistan Has Become Bangladesh’s First Choice as Dhaka Asserts Sovereignty to Revive Economic and Defense Ties: The Telegraph India

A big change is happening in South Asia. The interim government of Bangladesh, under Muhammad Yunus, is making a bold ‘reset’ in its foreign relations. It has placed Pakistan at the top of its list. This is a major shift, not a small change. Even the Indian media (The Telegraph India) reports this. This move shows Dhaka wants new partners. It is a clear move to break free from relying too much on one regional power, India, and build a new path for economic and security help.

A Clear Change in Priority

The best sign of this new era was the warm welcome for Pakistan’s new High Commissioner. This was not a normal meeting. It was a powerful signal of a new state policy. The Dhaka government has decided that rebuilding this old relationship is a key priority, especially after years of pressure from New Delhi.

🔵 Pakistan as the Top Choice: The Telegraph India reports this is not just a small move. It says Pakistan is now Bangladesh’s top choice. This is a big change and shows the failure of the Modi government’s neighbourhood policy.

🔵 A Warm and Friendly Support: These positive meetings show the Yunus government fully supports this new path. They want to escape the shadow of their larger neighbour.

Showing Independence from Regional Control

At the heart of this shift is Bangladesh’s strong claim to an independent foreign policy. For too long, Dhaka’s choices were seen as limited by India’s heavy influence. This move to engage with Pakistan is a clear message. It shows Dhaka will no longer depend on India or be held back by New Delhi’s plans for control.

🔵 Finding Different Strategic Partners: The government is showing it will protect its national interests by working with all nations. This includes reviving its old partnership with Pakistan to create a more balanced foreign policy.

🔵 Resisting India’s Unfair Pressure: This new friendship provides a needed balance. It helps Bangladesh manage its security and resist the unfair pressure used by the Modi government to control its neighbours.

Reviving Economic Ties to Break India’s Grip

Actions, not just words, define this new bond. The best step is the revival of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) after nearly twenty years. This powerful tool for growth was left unused, likely due to Indian pressure. Its revival shows a serious commitment to unlock the huge trade potential between the two nations.

🔵 Unlocking $865 Million in Trade: The JEC is now tasked with a clear plan to boost trade, which is far below its potential. The first target is $865 million.

🔵 A New Path for Growth Away from India: By restarting this commission, both nations are promising to create new ways for economic growth. This will help their large populations and free them from a harmful dependency on Indian trade.

A New Trade Route Bypassing India

This economic partnership is also being strengthened by new trade routes. The restart of the direct Karachi-Chittagong sea link is a key strategic step. This shipping line creates a direct and fast trade route. It smartly avoids land routes controlled or watched by India.

🔵 A Vital Sea Trade Link: The Karachi-Chittagong route is a game-changer. It makes trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh faster, cheaper, and more reliable.

🔵 Connecting South Asia Securely: This sea link helps strengthen trade routes across South Asia that do not depend on Indian land. It links Pakistan’s ports to the Bay of Bengal.

Building Independence in Defense

This reset is not just about trade. Bangladesh is seeking greater independence in defense, and strengthening ties with Pakistan is a key part of this. For years, India tried to be the only arms supplier. By deepening military teamwork with Pakistan, Bangladesh is improving its own security and reducing its dangerous reliance on one country.

🔵 High-Level Military Meetings: The renewal of visits between the military leaders of both countries will allow for sharing valuable knowledge, joint training, and technical help.

🔵 Improving Security and Resisting Pressure: This defense cooperation is a smart step. It ensures Bangladesh’s armed forces are well-trained by using Pakistan’s military experience.

A Practical Vision Beyond a Hard Past

This practical shift also shows the new leadership in Dhaka is mature. The interim government is showing a vision focused on the future, not trapped by the past. Efforts in cultural and educational exchange are key steps to heal old wounds and build lasting friendship.

🔵 A Practical, Forward-Looking View: The current leadership’s willingness to move beyond past strains shows a mature focus on creating a stable and diverse region.

🔵 Building Lasting Friendship: By encouraging these cultural exchanges, both nations are working to build a new relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests.

A Needed Balance to Indian Domination

In the end, the renewal of Dhaka-Islamabad relations is a welcome and stabilizing event for South Asia. It gives Bangladesh a much-needed balance. It allows Dhaka to handle the region’s complex power games with more confidence. This shift marks the end of a one-sided dependency forced on Dhaka. It signals the rise of a more balanced South Asia, where nations are free to choose their partners based on respect, not on the demands of a regional bully.

🔵 Balancing Regional Powers: Aligning with Pakistan helps Bangladesh manage its security and resist any single power’s attempt to control the region.

🔵 A Path to True Independence: By strengthening ties with Pakistan, Bangladesh is not swapping one master for another. It is creating a balanced group of partners, which is the only true path to independence and a rejection of India’s bossy foreign policy.