Sunday 29 December 2024
Islamabad (UrduPoint News International/ Pakistan Point News - DW Urdu - December 29, 2024) Experts say that this Pakistani-Bangladesh proximity can pave the way for new political alignments in the region, while this bilateral cooperation can also form the basis of a balanced and integrated strategy in the region compared to India's political weight at the regional level.
Strategic importance
Analyst Talat Masood, while talking to DW on this topic, said that Pakistan and Bangladesh are very close to each other in historical, political and many other respects.
For many years, they were one country. Although Bangladesh separated from Pakistan, the people of both countries still want better relations with each other.
Talat Masood said, "The good relations of the past can be restored.
Such common policies can be formed at the international level, which will be beneficial for both countries.
This change is also a positive development for the people of both countries, which can benefit them in many ways.”
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Unity against Indian policies
Professor Dr Shahid Zaman, former dean of Dhaka University in the Bangladeshi capital, says that both Pakistan and Bangladesh should revive close bilateral ties to counter the policies of the Indian government.
“The current situation is reminiscent of the pre-1947 situation, which further highlights the importance of the two-nation theory. Bangladesh needs to strengthen security ties with Pakistan to avoid Indian domination and protect its sovereignty,” he said.
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In the wake of the fall of the Awami League in Bangladesh that year, Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Mirza, director of the School of Politics and International Relations at Quaid-e-Azam University in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, told DW that Pakistan had been very cautious in its relations with Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina's rule.
He said that Pakistan did not want any less cautious steps regarding Bangladesh to give any political advantage to India or former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was forced to seek refuge there.
A gateway to Central Asia
According to Shahab Inam, a professor of international relations at Bangladesh's Jahangir Nagar University, Bangladesh, Bangladesh should prioritize economic partnerships over security or military cooperation.
Explaining his position, Professor Shahab Inam told DW that Dhaka should actually recognize Pakistan's potential to reach Central Asia and align itself with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
India is becoming isolated
Professor Shahid Zaman says that Bangladesh supports the revival of the regional organization of SAARC countries at the regional level, but he is also aware of “sabotage attempts” by India.
He said that the establishment of shipping lines between Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is a sign of the growing autonomy of the region. Moreover, China’s growing economic influence and Beijing’s relations with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are isolating India at the regional level.
According to Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Mirza, India has been trying to isolate Pakistan internationally, but in the current circumstances, these efforts are not succeeding and Pakistan’s relations with Bangladesh and other countries are very friendly.
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It is necessary to forget the bitterness of the past
Talaat Masood says that the bitterness that arose when Bangladesh separated from Pakistan was very deep and many people were affected by it However, the persistence of these bitternesses is harmful to both countries, “because it will not benefit the people of these countries, nor their governments, nor the entire region.
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He said that the current generation is not responsible for these bitter events, remembering these bitternesses is now meaningless. It would be better for both countries to improve their respective social and economic conditions and strengthen their mutual relations.
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Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Mirza of Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad says that history cannot be based on the claims of only one party of any major event and it is not possible to erase it.
He said, “A large section of the Bangladeshi people believe that instead of focusing on the past, looking towards the future is the need of the hour. Because currently there are many kinds of problems between Bangladesh and India.”
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Cooperation for regional stability
How can Pakistan and Bangladesh's proximity to each other be helpful for the region? In response to this question, Shamsa Nawaz, an associate of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, said that Islamabad and Dhaka are natural partners of each other, who first united as a nation and fought against British rule.
Then in 1971, when the independent state of Bangladesh came into being, Pakistan recognized its independence and sovereignty.
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"These two countries have also worked together through the SAARC platform to promote peace in South Asia and both are also members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation," Shamsa Nawaz told DW.
After joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative, both are moving towards economic cooperation, which will improve their overall situation.”
Shahab Inam, a professor of international relations at Jahangir Nagar University, also says that both Pakistan and Bangladesh should forget the bitterness of the past and prioritize economic cooperation and common interests.
“Recognizing the events of 1971 in a constructive manner, not as a political burden, will provide the basis for healthy relations for both,” he argued. Economic partnership can improve relations between Islamabad and Dhaka, which will also promote mutual respect and have a positive impact on the region.”
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