Bangladesh’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Touhid Hossain, has stated that it is strategically possible for Dhaka to join a regional cooperation framework with Pakistan even without India’s participation. However, he clarified that this possibility exists only for Bangladesh, as countries like Nepal and Bhutan cannot practically form any regional group with Pakistan without India’s involvement.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, Touhid Hossain made these remarks on Wednesday while responding to a journalist’s question in Dhaka. His statement is being viewed as a response to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s comments made during the recent “Islamabad Conclave,” where Dar indicated that a trilateral initiative involving Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh had already begun, with the potential to include more regional and extra-regional countries.
Media outlets further reported that Touhid Hossain said Ishaq Dar had “made certain remarks, and perhaps at some point there may be progress on the matter.”
Earlier in August, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Bangladesh for the first time in 13 years, marking a significant moment in the gradual improvement of diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
In recent months, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus have also held several cordial and constructive meetings, contributing to the strengthening of bilateral ties.
It is important to note that after the fall of Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s government in August last year, relations between Islamabad and Dhaka have improved considerably, while Bangladesh’s relations with New Delhi have faced strains—particularly due to India’s decision to host the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister. This shift has influenced the regional geopolitical environment in meaningful ways.
