Bangladesh, Pakistan stress diplomacy and regular talks to deepen bilateral relations
Bangladesh and Pakistan have stressed the need to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy through regular dialogue, exchanges of parliamentary delegations and greater people-to-people contacts to deepen bilateral relations, according to a local media report.
The emphasis came during a meeting between Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Deputy Speaker and parliamentary delegation leader Barrister Kayser Kamal and Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Monday in Cape Town, South Africa, on the eve of the opening of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Bangladesh’s state-run BSS news agency reported.
The two leaders discussed various issues of mutual interest, BSS reported, citing a press release issued by the Bangladesh parliament secretariat. Kamal invited Sadiq to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time, while the Pakistani National Assembly speaker invited the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Bangladesh to visit Pakistan.
The meeting was held in a “cordial and friendly atmosphere”, with members of the parliamentary delegations of both countries also attending, BSS said.
The meeting comes as Dhaka and Islamabad seek to expand bilateral engagement following the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Government in August 2024.
Bangladesh, China discuss trade corridor
Bangladesh and China discussed cooperation on a proposed economic corridor linking the country with Myanmar and China, as Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met Bangladesh’s junior foreign minister Shama Obaed Islam, according to a local media report.
The meeting took place here on Monday at the minister’s office, where the two also discussed infrastructure, energy, human-resource development and economic cooperation, Bangladesh’s state-run BSS news agency reported, citing a press release issued by the foreign ministry.
The two sides exchanged views on areas of mutual interest and cooperation, particularly the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Chinese Economic Zone and the development of Mongla Port.
The proposed economic corridor seeks to improve connectivity between Bangladesh and southwestern China through Myanmar. It is distinct from the earlier proposed Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor. The proposed corridor would potentially provide Beijing with an additional trade and connectivity route to the Bay of Bengal.
The two sides also discussed a proposed 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, education and human-resource development, people-to-people exchanges, energy cooperation, including renewable energy, and women’s empowerment, according to the report.
The minister recalled Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China and appreciated Beijing’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in infrastructure, human development and capacity building.
