Recognising connectivity as a priority, Bangladesh and Pakistan have welcomed the launch of direct shipping between Karachi and Chittagong and emphasised the importance of resuming direct air links.
They also expressed satisfaction over the progress made in easing travel and visa facilitation.
A shared commitment to a "forward-looking partnership" emerged, said the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release after the foreign secretary-level talks but it did not contain Bangladesh's core demands flagged during the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Dhaka on Thursday.
Bangladesh on Thursday sought a formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide committed by the then Pakistani armed forces in 1971, stressing that all the unresolved historical issues must be addressed to put the relations between Dhaka and Islamabad on solid foundation. .
Bangladesh raised the historically unresolved issues with Pakistan such as repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, Bangladesh's fair share of undivided wealth – US$ 4.32 billion, transfer of foreign aid funds sent to the victims of the 1970 cyclone, and a formal apology for the genocide committed by the then Pakistani armed forces in 1971.
“We said that as a friendly neighbour of Bangladesh in South Asia, we seek Pakistan's cooperation in building a strong, welfare-oriented and forward-looking relationship with Pakistan by resolving the existing historical unresolved issues at the earliest and we emphasise on working together towards this end,” Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin told reporters at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The talks, led by Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and his Pakistan counterpart Amna Baloch were after a gap of 15 years and and "reflected a shared resolve" to revitalise bilateral engagement.
The two sides held a "comprehensive exchange" on political, economic, cultural, educational, and strategic cooperation, underpinned by shared history, cultural affinities and the common aspirations of their peoples.
Satisfaction was expressed at recent high-level contacts in New York, Cairo, Samoa and Jeddah, which have helped reenergise the bilateral relationship.
Both sides emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum through regular institutional dialogue, early finalisation of pending agreements, and enhanced cooperation in trade, agriculture, education, and connectivity.
Pakistan offered academic opportunities in its agricultural universities, while Bangladesh offered technical training in fisheries and maritime studies.
The Bangladeshi side also acknowledged scholarship offers from private universities in Pakistan and underscored the need for deeper cooperation in the education sector.
The Bangladesh side appreciated recent performances by renowned Pakistani artists in Dhaka, while the Pakistani side encouraged reciprocal cultural exchanges.
The prospects for broader cooperation in sports, media, and cultural institutions were discussed, including the finalisation of various MoUs in these areas, said the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On multilateral issues, both sides reaffirmed the need to revitalise SAARC in line with its founding principles.
The Pakistan Foreign Secretary appreciated the vision of the Bangladeshi leadership and expressed hope that the SAARC process would remain insulated from bilateral political considerations.
While reviewing the Middle East situation, the two sides strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression and grave human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly in Gaza.
MSH
