Bangladesh Seeks Strong Relations With Pakistan, But Has Dhaka Forgotten The 1971 Atrocities?

Dhaka: Bangladesh is keen on fostering positive relations with Pakistan but insists that this should not come at the expense of acknowledging the traumatic events of 1971. Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain expressed this stance on Tuesday, responding to suggestions that the interim government might be eager to mend ties.Hossain stated, "I think relations will be easier if the Pakistani government shows the courage to acknowledge what happened in 1971 and seeks to apologise for it." He emphasized that a recent courtesy meeting between Bangladesh's chief adviser, Prof Muhammad Yunus, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UN General Assembly in New York on September 25 does not signify that the past has been forgotten. "This was just a courtesy meeting," he clarified. "When we sit for discussions, we will address the difficult issues." He reiterated that the current government has not indicated any willingness to overlook the events of 1971, stating, "What happened in 1971 is always in our hearts." Bangladesh's official stance has consistently been that Pakistan should formally apologise for the atrocities committed against the Bengali-speaking population during the 1971 struggle for independence.During the meeting, Yunus called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as a key platform for regional cooperation in South Asia. He highlighted this during his discussions with Sharif, who agreed on the importance of revitalising bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Yunus suggested that reviving SAARC could be a constructive starting point, and Sharif expressed Pakistan’s support for this initiative, proposing a step-by-step approach to reinvigorate the regional platform. He also indicated that Bangladesh and Pakistan should turn over a "new page" in their relations to enhance cooperation across various sectors.Sharif showed interest in investing in Bangladesh’s textile and leather industries, while Yunus proposed a youth exchange programme to strengthen ties between the two countries. The discussions also included plans to renew foreign secretary-level talks and reactivate the joint commission between Bangladesh and Pakistan.