The India Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad hosted an in-house round-table on Pakistan-Bangladesh relation and regional cooperation, featuring Maj. Gen. (R) Fazle Elahi Akbar as the distinguished speaker. Former diplomats, practitioners, academics and area specialists attended to assess recent developments and chart practical steps forward.
Participants noted an upward trajectory in Pakistan Bangladesh ties and welcomed the recent warmth in official interactions. They urged a forward-looking approach that moves cooperation beyond traditional areas, highlighting the emergence of productive, multi-sectoral engagement from government channels down to people-to-people contacts.
Delegates recommended concrete measures to expand Pakistan Bangladesh ties, including resuming direct flights and easing travel barriers to facilitate movement for business and tourism. They stressed diversifying trade toward complementary sectors, promoting bilateral tourism, strengthening cultural cooperation and creating sustained channels for youth interaction.
There was a strong call to open academic and think-tank exchanges so both countries can learn from each other’s expertise in governance, development and disaster management. Participants emphasized that deeper people-to-people linkages and regular expert interactions will underpin long-term confidence and economic ties.
On regional architecture, attendees agreed that cooperation cannot remain hostage to the whims of any single actor. The shift toward a multipolar world makes it essential for South Asian states to move in tandem and to deepen economic integration and connectivity. While the revival of SAARC was described as crucial, participants also recommended pursuing flexible formats, noting the Bangladesh-China-Pakistan trilateral as an innovative model that could be replicated in other geometries.
Reimagining South Asia in terms of security, development and regional cooperation is now indispensable, and strengthened Pakistan Bangladesh ties were presented as a pragmatic step toward broader regional stability and shared prosperity.
