Pakistan, Bangladesh agree to strengthen trade, business and cultural ties

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) wrote on X.

According to the ministry, both conducted a “detailed exchange of views on bilateral relations, the regional situation and Pakistan’s conciliatory role.” Minister Islam appreciated Pakistan’s role in the US-Iran conflict.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, business and culture. It was also agreed to increase the mutual exchange of delegations to promote trade and cultural relations.

“There are huge opportunities for investment in Pakistan,” Naqvi said at the meeting.

Further, discussions were also held regarding the Bangladeshi minister’s visit to Pakistan.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Director General South Asia Ishrat Jahan, Director Shamima Yasmin and Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider were also present on the occasion, MoI said.

The meeting comes as part of Naqvi’s two-day visit to Bangladesh and a day after he met his Bangladeshi counterpart, Salahuddin Ahmed. The two signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating drug trafficking, drug trafficking and drug abuse. Both sides also agreed to strengthen security ties.

Read: Trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh reaches $1 billion

The formulation of a joint strategy to disrupt the illegal sales and supply lines of narcotics was also adopted, along with the exchange of timely information by relevant agencies of both countries regarding drug traffickers and networks.

Furthermore, an agreement was reached on joint training of personnel, use of modern technology and establishment of a joint working group at secretary level between the two interior ministries to promote cooperation.

The development has come against the backdrop of a broader recalibration in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Since then, ties between Islamabad and Dhaka have shown signs of gradual transformation after decades of limited engagement, particularly in the defense and security sphere.

Read more: How Pakistan wins back Bangladesh

While Bangladesh’s relationship with India, traditionally its closest regional partner, has been strained by political and strategic disagreements, Dhaka has been quietly exploring new avenues of cooperation with Pakistan.

In January, Pakistan and Bangladesh took a step towards deepening defense cooperation when a high-level Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) delegation led by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan held talks with Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters, with discussions also covering the potential purchase of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.

Earlier, in February, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rehman, to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation across various sectors.

In August 2025, the two countries also signed several agreements to strengthen cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education and cultural exchanges, marking a significant step in efforts to restore relations after years of strained ties.