Engr. Hamza Mehboob
engrsheryar96@gmail.com
The downfall of the pro-India government in Bangladesh and the removal of Sheikh Hasina Wajid mark a significant political shift in South Asia. For the past 15 years, Hasina’s rule allowed India excessive influence over Bangladesh’s domestic and foreign policies, severely compromising the country’s sovereignty.
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh remained strained during this period. However, with the new political reality, Pakistan now has an opportunity to reshape its ties with Bangladesh through diplomacy, trade, defense, and security cooperation, thus establishing a new geopolitical balance in the region.
Pakistan-Bangladesh relations have been marked by fluctuation ever since the 1971 tragedy. Diplomatic relations were established soon after, but true warmth never developed. Pakistan formally recognized Bangladesh in 1974 during the Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore, but tensions persisted, largely due to India’s interference.
After Sheikh Hasina came to power, an anti-Pakistan narrative was promoted by the state. Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami were executed on charges of collaborating with Pakistan in 1971, and India was granted major privileges in trade, defense, and politics. Consequently, Bangladesh increasingly became a strategic ally of India, and relations with Pakistan soured further.
Under Hasina’s 15-year rule, pro-India policies were cemented, while the anti-Pakistan narrative was reinforced. In 2010, her government set up a “War Crimes Tribunal” to target those who had supported Pakistan in 1971.
Many Jamaat-e-Islami leaders were executed on accusations of war crimes, though the trials were condemned internationally as unjust. The executions aimed to eliminate pro-Pakistan sentiment in Bangladesh, with India playing an active role in these judicial processes.
Hasina worked actively to worsen relations with Pakistan. Controversial narratives about the 1971 war were promoted, Pakistani diplomats faced harassment, and some were forced to leave the country. Unofficial restrictions were placed on Pakistani goods, while anti-Pakistan sentiment was fostered among the public.
Meanwhile, relations with India were strengthened to an extraordinary degree, granting India extensive influence over Bangladesh’s defense, economy, diplomacy, and intelligence. In 2017, Bangladesh signed a $500 million defense deal with India, increasing its dependence on Indian weaponry, while Indian companies gained considerable access to the Bangladeshi market, undermining local industries.
Sheikh Hasina allowed India to gain unrestricted access to Bangladesh’s land and water routes. As a result, India exploited agreements like the Teesta Deal, benefiting itself at Bangladesh’s expense.
Additionally, India’s intelligence agency, RAW, was given free rein to operate within Bangladesh, influencing the country’s internal affairs. Defense agreements further empowered Indian military and intelligence agencies, undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Opposition parties, especially the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, faced severe repression. Their leaders were imprisoned, political activities were suppressed, and media outlets were silenced to prevent the rise of any pro-Pakistan voices.
Mosques and religious seminaries were placed under strict government control to prevent religious groups from engaging in politics. Even student organizations and journalists were targeted to suppress alternative narratives about the events of 1971.
One of the most blatant examples of Hasina’s pro-India policies was her unconditional support for India on the Kashmir issue. Whenever Pakistan attempted to highlight the Kashmir conflict on international platforms, Hasina’s government consistently sided with India, opposing Pakistan’s stance at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) or remaining silent.
Hasina’s removal from power is primarily attributed to her pro-India policies, electoral fraud, economic downturn, and brutal repression of opposition parties. Over the past fifteen years, she allowed India to control much of Bangladesh’s domestic and foreign affairs, leading to widespread public resentment.
By prioritizing India’s interests, she subjected Bangladeshis to inflation, unemployment, and economic decline while systematically suppressing opposition. Her harsh treatment of Jamaat-e-Islami and other nationalist and religious groups fueled public anger.
When protests erupted, slogans like “Reject Indian Domination” and “Bangladesh is Not India’s Colony” were heard across cities. In several areas, demands for the restoration of trade and diplomatic ties with Pakistan grew, as people felt that stronger ties with Pakistan and other Muslim countries would better serve their national interests than continued dependence on India.
Youth groups and Islamic circles voiced their support for closer Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, while opposition parties advocated for a stronger engagement with China, Turkey, and Pakistan rather than India.
The movement that led to Hasina’s ouster featured widespread calls for restoring diplomatic and trade ties with Pakistan. At the public level, these demands indicated that, despite historical complexities, a segment of the Bangladeshi population wanted reconciliation with Pakistan.
They sought to support the Kashmir cause jointly and take collective steps for peace and stability in South Asia. Some protest slogans called for a renewed partnership between the two countries: “Pakistan and Bangladesh, Together for Peace!” and “Let the past be the past, build a future of cooperation!”
This shift in public sentiment signifies that a portion of the Bangladeshi population desires closer cooperation with Pakistan, seeing it as a key to regional stability and prosperity.
Now that Sheikh Hasina has been removed, Pakistan faces a golden diplomatic opportunity.
If Pakistan adopts a strategic approach, it can strengthen trade, diplomatic, and defense ties with Bangladesh, which would reduce India’s influence and create a new geopolitical balance in South Asia.
Recently, important meetings have taken place between Pakistan and Bangladesh that indicate a promising future for bilateral relations. At the D-8 Summit in Egypt, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s interim leader Mohammad Yunus discussed enhancing trade, cultural exchanges, and mutual cooperation. Their meeting underscored a commitment to improving relations and supporting each other in economic development.
In January 2025, Bangladesh’s military leadership, led by Lieutenant General S.M. Kamrul Hasan, visited Pakistan, meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.
The discussions centered on strengthening defense ties, ensuring regional peace and stability, and acknowledging Pakistan’s contributions in the fight against terrorism. Both sides explored regional security challenges and agreed to enhance defense cooperation, marking the start of a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.
The potential for economic cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh is vast. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could open new markets for both countries. Pakistan could promote its textile industry, rice, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products in Bangladesh, while Bangladesh could increase exports of garments, footwear, and other products to Pakistan.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could offer Bangladesh access to Central Asia, Turkey, and Europe, benefiting both economies.
In terms of defense and security, Pakistan can offer Bangladesh alternatives to Indian military influence. Joint military exercises, defense production agreements, and intelligence-sharing arrangements between Pakistan, Turkey, and Bangladesh could enable Bangladesh to reduce its dependence on India while helping restore stability in the region.
Pakistan must also invest in strengthening cultural and educational ties with Bangladesh. Shared religious, cultural, and historical connections remain strong between the two nations, offering a foundation for deeper collaboration.
Increasing scholarships for Bangladeshi students, launching joint media initiatives like documentaries, films, and TV shows, could help bridge the gap and rebuild positive perceptions of Pakistan among younger generations.
By capitalizing on this opportunity, Pakistan can play a pivotal role in reshaping South Asia’s geopolitical landscape, benefiting not only itself and Bangladesh but also the broader Muslim world.
