News Desk
DHAKA: Bangladesh signaled a cautious openness to Pakistan’s participation in regional multilateral initiatives, even in the absence of India, highlighting a potential shift in South Asian diplomatic dynamics.
Mohammed Tauhid Hossain, Bangladesh’s adviser on foreign affairs, told journalists in Dhaka that Pakistan’s involvement in a regional grouping was strategically feasible and could be advanced through ongoing discussions. He noted that proposals put forward by former Pakistani finance minister Ishaq Dar offered concrete avenues for progress, suggesting that some elements of Dar’s plan could be implemented despite historical tensions in the region.
Ishaq Dar had previously indicated that a forum including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China was under development, with the possibility of expanding participation to other regional and extra-regional partners. Hossain’s comments appeared to underscore a pragmatic recognition that, while longstanding rivalries—particularly between India and Pakistan—have complicated multilateral engagement, opportunities exist for countries to collaborate on shared economic and strategic concerns.
