Pakistan, Bangladesh call for stronger bilateral cooperation, revitalising SAARC

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday discussed ways to revitalise regional cooperation, particularly through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, during their meeting in Dhaka.

Established in 1985, SAARC is a regional intergovernmental organisation of eight South Asian countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan.

However, the grouping has remained inactive for almost a decade because of tensions between India and Pakistan.

Its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2014.

The 2016 summit was scheduled to be held in Islamabad but was cancelled after India withdrew following the Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan had also declined to participate.

On Sunday, Yunus said that he saw Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan and other SAARC countries as one of the highest priorities.

“I encourage SAARC,” he added.

Acknowledging the challenges in regional diplomacy, he said that “several areas of collaboration, including frequent cultural exchanges” could help build stronger regional ties.

During their meeting, the two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, youth and cultural exchanges.

Dar announced plans to expand air and sea connectivity between the two countries.

The Pakistani foreign minister also met Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid...

Read more