Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations: A Post-2024 Assessment

Abstract

The Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relationship has long been overshadowed by historical legacies, particularly the event of 1971, shaping mutual perceptions and foreign policy orientations. However, the political transformation in Bangladesh following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 has opened new avenues for recalibrating ties. This paper centres on three core research questions: i. How emerging economic, political, and security interests are redefining Pakistan-Bangladesh engagement?; ii. How Bangladesh’s evolving relationship with India is influencing Dhaka’s recalibration toward Islamabad?; and iii. What structural and political impediments continue to constrain the institutionalisation of a durable partnership between Dhaka and Islamabad? Employing a qualitative research methodology, including document analysis, case studies, and expert interviews, the paper underscores the necessity of institutionalising economic partnerships, minilateral frameworks, and strategic security coordination between Bangladesh and Pakistan.