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Kashmir, SAARC, and Strategic Realignments: Decoding the Pakistan-Bangladesh Dialogue

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In April 2025, Pakistan and Bangladesh held their sixth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Dhaka -  the first in 15 years. The meeting gained regional attention as Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue, while Bangladesh highlighted unresolved 1971 grievances. The talks also touched upon the revival of SAARC and cultural cooperation, offering a glimpse into shifting alliances and the complex dynamics of South Asian diplomacy.

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Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction: Strategic Conversations in South Asia

  2. Context: Revival of Pakistan-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultations

  3. The Kashmir Card: Pakistan’s Persistent Agenda

  4. Bangladesh’s Assertive Diplomacy: Reopening Historical Grievances

  5. SAARC Revitalisation: Hope or Rhetoric?

  6. Cultural Diplomacy and Cooperation Tracks

  7. India’s Strategic Lens: Silent Watch or Growing Concern?

  8. China and the Shadow of Regional Power Play

  9. Strategic Implications for South Asian Multilateralism

  10. Way Forward: Navigating History with Vision

  11. Conclusion

 

1. Introduction: Strategic Conversations in South Asia:

South Asia’s geopolitical theatre continues to be shaped by unresolved historical disputes, regional rivalries, and asymmetrical alignments. The sixth round of Pakistan-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Dhaka in April 2025 served as a microcosm of these complexities touching upon past grievances, contemporary alignments, and regional institutional stagnation.

 

2. Context: Revival of Pakistan-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultations:

This was the first FOC in 15 years between the two countries, marking a thaw in traditionally tense ties. Both sides discussed avenues to improve diplomatic communication and economic engagement. The talks come at a time when both Pakistan and Bangladesh seek regional rebalancing amid shifting global alignments and renewed interest in multilateral cooperation like SAARC.

The background also includes a tense diplomatic environment between India and Bangladesh over minority rights issues, which provides added strategic context to this meeting.

 

3. The Kashmir Card: Pakistan’s Persistent Agenda:

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch raised the Kashmir issue, reiterating calls for resolution as per UN Security Council resolutions. This has been Pakistan’s traditional diplomatic line, but its inclusion in bilateral talks with Bangladesh- a country that does not take an official stance on the matter was seen as an attempt to gain tacit regional support or sympathy for its narrative.

Bangladesh did not endorse or respond to the Kashmir mention, signaling a measured neutrality.

 

4. Bangladesh’s Assertive Diplomacy: Reopening Historical Grievances:

Bangladesh used the opportunity to raise longstanding historical concerns rooted in the 1971 Liberation War:

  • Formal apology for the 1971 genocide by Pakistan.

  • Repatriation of stranded Pakistanis (Biharis) in Bangladesh.

  • Resolution of financial liabilities and transfer of aid for Cyclone Bhola victims.

  • Justice and closure for war crimes committed by the then Pakistan Army.

This shift from a reactive to an assertive posture underscores Bangladesh’s maturing diplomacy.

 

5. SAARC Revitalisation: Hope or Rhetoric?

Both countries expressed willingness to revive the SAARC framework, which has remained frozen since 2016, when India boycotted the Islamabad summit post-Uri attacks.

Despite verbal commitments, the lack of consensus and India-Pakistan hostility continues to paralyse SAARC. Unless major stakeholders shift positions, such calls remain symbolic rather than transformative.

 

6. Cultural Diplomacy and Cooperation Tracks:

Amidst hardline political exchanges, some positive takeaways included:

  • Discussion on academic and vocational exchanges.

  • Offers of training in agriculture, maritime, and fisheries.

  • Promotion of cultural diplomacy through MoUs in arts, sports, and education.

  • Agreement on future rounds of Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meetings.

These cooperative areas act as pressure release valves for broader tensions.


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7. India’s Strategic Lens: Silent Watch or Growing Concern?

India has been cautiously observing this renewed Pakistan-Bangladesh engagement. The Kashmir mention, coupled with past Bangladeshi overtures to OIC and Chinese collaboration, adds layers to India’s concerns:

  • Strategic encirclement via increased Dhaka-Islamabad-Beijing synergy.

  • Potential resurgence of anti-India rhetoric in multilateral platforms.

  • Impact on India’s Act East and Neighbourhood First policies.

However, Bangladesh’s independent and diversified foreign policy reassures India to some extent.

 

8. China and the Shadow of Regional Power Play:

China remains an invisible but important player in this triangle:

  • It is Pakistan’s closest ally via CPEC and military cooperation.

  • It has significant stakes in Bangladesh’s infrastructure, energy, and port development.

  • Any renewed Dhaka-Islamabad axis could help China broaden its strategic corridor through South Asia.

This makes India’s counter-engagement with Bangladesh even more crucial.

 

9. Strategic Implications for South Asian Multilateralism:

  • SAARC’s stagnation has given rise to mini-lateral and sub-regional groupings like BIMSTEC and BBIN.

  • Pakistan and Bangladesh may push for economic sub-groupings, bypassing India's central role.

  • South Asia needs a neutral and pragmatic platform to de-escalate historical baggage.

Pakistan’s attempt to inject Kashmir into every dialogue limits its ability to engage constructively, while Bangladesh's growing agency could pivot South Asia's diplomatic trajectory.

 

10. Way Forward: Navigating History with Vision:

  • Pakistan must understand that overemphasis on Kashmir in unrelated forums dilutes its credibility and limits strategic partnerships.

  • Bangladesh should leverage its geostrategic location and economic rise to play the role of a regional bridge-builder.

  • India, while remaining alert, must not alienate Dhaka by ignoring shared developmental interests.

  • SAARC should consider functional cooperation models on trade, climate, and connectivity to remain relevant.

 

11. Conclusion:

The April 2025 Pakistan-Bangladesh consultations reopened both long-standing historical wounds and new diplomatic opportunities. While the Kashmir issue dominated headlines, it was Bangladesh’s assertiveness and Pakistan’s attempts to revive its regional relevance that truly defined the engagement.

In the larger picture, this episode reflects the fragmented yet evolving nature of South Asian diplomacy, where regionalism, realism, and history compete for dominance.