Since the time turbulent protests, resignations, and clashes in Bangladesh led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina & her flight to India, with an Interim Government taking reigns, an important development reported has been an olive branch extended by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to the newly appointed Interim government of Bangladesh, expressing eagerness to collaborate and enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The departure of Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years, has brought a glimmer of hope in Pakistan for possible normalisation of relations between the two countries.
Throughout Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, Bangladesh-Pakistan ties had remained strained.
However, the recent change in leadership has rekindled optimism in Pakistan that a window of opportunity has opened to re-establish and normalise relations between the two countries.
Relations between India & Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure
India and Bangladesh are connected by a rich shared history, language, culture, and numerous other commonalities.
With an extensive 4,000 km border between the two countries and inherent geographic proximity, India had been a vital regional ally and business partner for Bangladesh, fostering a strong and enduring relationship between the two countries.
Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh emerged as a key economic partner for India.
The bilateral trade between the two countries reached $13 billion in the financial year 2023-24, reflecting a deep economic interdependence.
Bangladesh is the largest export destination for Indian cotton, accounting for 34.9% of India’s total cotton exports amounting to $2.4 billion in FY 2024.
In addition to cotton, other significant Indian exports to Bangladesh included petroleum products and cereals. Conversely, India imported readymade garments from Bangladesh valued at $391 million in FY 2024.
Sheikh Hasina’s departure may now introduce a level of uncertainty in these well-established trade relations between the two countries according to observers.
Also, the potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for which discussions had begun in October 2023 & which aimed at reducing or eliminating customs duties on traded goods fostering greater trade and investment, may now be in jeopardy, according to them.
Broader Implications of Pakistan’s recent outreach In a significant development following the departure of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is reportedly set to receive a substantial shipment of defence materials from Pakistan, including 40,000 rounds of ammunition, Tank ammunition 2000 quantity, 40 tons of RDX explosive in wax consistency, and 2,900 high-intensity projectiles, representing a significant increase from the previous year’s order, which included 12,000 rounds of ammunition.
Reportedly, the shipment is scheduled to take place in three phases, commencing in the first week of September 2024 and concluding by December 2024.
Pakistan’s increasing defence exports to Bangladesh come at a time when Islamabad is seeking to expand its influence in South Asia. Despite its internal challenges, Pakistan continues to position itself as a key player in regional geopolitics.
Its growing military relationship with Bangladesh therefore could be seen as part of a broader strategy to counterbalance India’s influence in the region, according to observers.
It is noteworthy that this new procurement comes at a time when Bangladesh is facing internal political instability, especially following the departure of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The significant rise in defence imports, specifically ammunition and explosives from Pakistan, signals a potential shift in Bangladesh’s military alliances and strategic interests, raising concerns in neighbouring India, it has been pointed out.
According to observers, the move purportedly indicates Bangladesh’s efforts to enhance its defence capabilities, however, potentially signalling the strengthening of ties with Pakistan under the new leadership.
According to observers, a sinister plot seems to be unfolding in Bangladesh, aimed at perpetuating anti-India, particularly anti-Hindu sentiment, aimed at jeopardizing the harmonious relations between the two countries.