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FOREIGN Ministry officials from Bangladesh’s interim government resumed talks with Pakistan on Thursday after a 15-year gap.
The meeting in Dhaka between Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin and his counterpart, Amna Baloch, was described as a major step forward in easing strained relations between the two South Asian Muslim-majority nations.
Under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in August, Bangladesh had expanded relations with neighbouring India.
But ties have become increasingly tense with Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, criticising India for sheltering Ms Hasina. He has sought her extradition without success.
After Ms Hasina’s exit, Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed direct trading for the first time in years.
Following Thursday’s talks Mr Uddin said Bangladesh raised historically “unsettled issues” with Pakistan, including a formal public apology for atrocities allegedly committed by Pakistani troops in 1971 during Bangladesh’s war of independence.
“There are certain hurdles. We have to find ways to overcome those and move forward,” Mr Yunus said.
Ms Baloch said Bangladesh and Pakistan must find ways to “harness the potentials between the two countries.”
