–Taufiqur Rahman–

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Chief Adviser Dr Yunus during UN General Assembly gathering in New York. Mr. Sharif also attended a ceremony commemorating Bangladesh’s 50th year as a member of the United Nations. Both leaders engaged in a positive discussion about expanding bilateral cooperation across various fields, aiming to strengthen relations between the two nations. Why is this important? Because we are the two largest Muslim countries in Asia and there is much to be gained in a partnership to help each other’s economy and global political representation. We have a combined population of over 420 million people with a growing middle class, thus offering sizeable market opportunities for our respective country’s products. Hasina government’s adversarial role with Pakistan did not help promote our regional trade and political interests.

Our economic interests must guide us to explore new markets for Bangladeshi products. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh in 2019 stood at $736 million while Bangladeshi exports to Pakistan were only $44 million. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2020-21 was $721.67 million. More recent trade figures are not publicly available. Despite the adversarial relationship between Pakistan and India, bilateral trade between the two was $1.35 billion in 2022 and is increasing. India and China are having regular fights along respective borders but trade between the two countries in 2023 stood at $113.83 billion. Despite adversarial relations, countries put their economic interests first and Bangladesh must do the same. Bangladesh must increase its exports to Pakistan to reduce the current trade deficit and explore ways to significantly expand trade volume. Pakistan has expressed interests to invest in Bangladesh’s textile and leather industries. There can be other opportunities where Bangladeshi businesses can also invest in Pakistan. Both countries understand each other culturally and economically, and both know respective markets well. We also have over three million Bengalis in Pakistan.

In addition, Bangladesh must now explore membership in regional bodies such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Such membership will open market access for Bangladeshi products as well as provide it a seat for political influence. Such participation will also facilitate investments from the member countries in Bangladesh and our trade can grow significantly. Pakistan can assist Bangladesh in their requests for memberships in both these regional organisations. ECO members include Pakistan, Iran, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. SCO  membership includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. SCO also includes 3 observer states—Mongolia, Belarus, and Afghanistan, and 14 dialogue partners: Sri Lanka, Turkey, Cambodia,  Azerbaijan, Nepal, Armenia, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Myanmar, the Maldives, and the United Arab Emirates.  Recently, Bangladesh also requested a dialogue membership in ASEAN which Malaysia agreed to facilitate. We also need Pakistan’s help in strengthening SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) to enhance collaboration among member countries.

So, let us look at what is possible going forward. We both need to start commercial dialogues on how to increase trade volume between the two nations. Tariff free trade between the two countries can open each other’s markets. Recent easing of visa policy by Pakistan is a first good step and Bangladesh must offer the same facility to Pakistan. Tourism between the two countries can increase significantly, thus contributing to our revenue base. Over the last 50 years, Bangladesh has developed various industries and expanded trade capacity which can help in expanding trade between the two countries. It would be good for Pakistani businesses to understand these developments for better facilitation of trade between the two countries. We can also look at increasing import of Pakistani cotton, rice, onions, fruits, sesame seeds, and other products to stabilise our markets. Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau can initiate dialogues with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to identify areas of trade for both countries. In terms of services and trade, both countries can explore opportunities for collaboration in IT services, healthcare, tourism, and education. Bangladesh can also benefit by using Pakistan’s Gwadar Port and the China-run CPEC to facilitate Bangladesh trade with Central Asia.

Politically this relationship is important from two key points. In South Asia, Bangladesh must not be solely dependent on India politically and must pursue partnership based on equality and mutual respect. We must pursue independent foreign policy and defence preparedness that is the right of a sovereign nation. Secondly, our strategic partnership with the Muslim world is particularly important both economically and politically, and Pakistan can be a particularly important ally to support our efforts. At the same time, we expect Pakistan not to interfere with our domestic politics or policies, and never to question our special relations with India. We must agree to put extra efforts to fast track strengthening our relationships.

The misguided political leadership of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971 should not define our long-term relationship, strategic interests, and partnership with Pakistan. The dark days of 1971 are behind us. Based on political realities of South Asia, we must look forward to new opportunities of collaboration with Pakistan. We now know that the youth leaderships of both countries are keen to forge stronger ties between these two Muslim-majority countries. It will require sustained efforts and constant commitment on both sides to ensure that our economic interests never get derailed by any changes in geopolitical situations.

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The writer is an international development expert based in Maryland, USA.