Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder has underscored that Bangladesh’s foreign policy must be driven by national interests rather than alignment with one neighbour at the expense of another.
He made the remarks in the context of recent diplomatic engagements between Bangladesh and Pakistan, suggesting that engagement through dialogue is the most constructive path toward resolving longstanding historical disputes.
Azad said the interim government’s initiative to bring Pakistan back to the negotiation table after many years is a pragmatic move. During the just-concluded Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka, Bangladesh raised critical unresolved issues, including demands for a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed during the 1971 Liberation War. At the same time, the discussions also explored avenues for enhanced trade and economic cooperation.
He argued that the world offers several examples of former adversaries becoming partners, citing the reconciliation between France and England, and the transformation of post-war US-Japan relations as proof that even bitter conflicts can give way to strategic alliances. In this spirit, he suggested it is time for Bangladesh and Pakistan to chart a course that addresses past grievances while creating new opportunities for cooperation.
On the subject of genocide, Azad pointed out that many voices within Pakistan’s civil society, media, and academia have supported the idea of a formal apology as a sign of goodwill. However, resistance from Pakistan’s Foreign Office and military establishment has continued to block such a gesture, leaving one of the most emotional issues between the two nations unresolved.
Azad also discussed Bangladesh’s claim to a fair share of undivided Pakistan’s assets, amounting to at least $4.32 billion based on 1974 estimates. These claims consider internal capital formation, external debt responsibilities, and retained foreign reserves. Additionally, Bangladesh maintains a separate claim of $200 million in foreign aid that was intended for cyclone victims in 1970 but was transferred out of East Pakistan during the war.
Repatriation of stranded Pakistanis remains another contentious topic. Azad said that while Pakistan has previously taken back around 125,000 of its citizens, approximately 325,000 individuals still reside in camps across 14 districts in Bangladesh. These unresolved issues continue to hinder the development of a healthy, forward-looking relationship between the two nations, he added.
Azad noted that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus raised these concerns directly during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Egypt and reiterated them during Thursday’s meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch in Dhaka.
Despite the complexities, the interim government remains committed to building productive ties in the region. According to Azad, Dr Yunus emphasised the importance of maintaining sound relations with all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, to unlock the broader economic potential of South Asia.
Azad responded to speculation about a shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy orientation, stating clearly that any future policy decisions would reflect a “pro-Bangladesh” approach focused solely on national interests. He said that while some may question the government’s motives, Bangladesh is asserting its own independent identity on the global stage.
He concluded by saying that within 24 hours of the Pakistan foreign secretary’s visit, the interim government demonstrated its dual strategy: firmly raising historical concerns while signalling openness to future collaboration. This, he said, reflects a foreign policy rooted not in external appeasement but in Bangladesh’s sovereign priorities.
