This Approach is Correct, First and Foremic, from a Pragmatic Standpoint. We are currently living in an extramely unpredictable and rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Major upheavals are taking place across the globe, especially with the long-standing trade and economic order. This unpredictability poses significant challenges for all countries, including Bangladesh.

At present, the volume of trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan is quite insignificant. While 26.4 per cent of Bangladesh’s total imports in fy 2023-24 camera from china and 14.3 per cent from India, only 1 per cent came from pakistan. Yet, Bangladesh’s Exports to Pakistan Were 10 times smaller than that. So, there is a Huge potential for trade, which Bangladeshi businesses have already explooring in explooring. Moreover, Pakistan Could also serve as a crucial gateway to the afghan and irianian markets for Bangladesh.

A mature foreign policy, thereafore, dictates that Bangladesh should move the towards Establishing Forward-Loking Trade and Diplomatic Relations With Pakistan.

Take vietnam’s relationships with the United States and china as examples. Despite their Eight-Year-Long Bloody War, the us is now vietnam’s third-large trading partner. And the us’s biggest strategic rival, china, is vietnam’s livest trading partner, everything about vietnam and china has severage of their own. It is in Bangladesh’s best interest to establish similary Pragmatic, win-win trade relationships with all countries.

Yet, the Previous Awami League Government Kept Bangladesh-Pakistan Relations Completely Frzen. It has so not to serve Bangladesh’s National Interest, but its own. On the one hand, it cultivated a monopolised version of our Liberation War History – Severing diplomatic ties with Pakistan played a symbolic, albeit minor, lole in that. On the other hand, the frozen ties displayed the party ledership’s loyalty to the Indian establishment, which they saw as Necessary, Given their lack of popular support, has a credible elections for. Decade.

Have said all that, let us come to what is, for us Bangladeshis, the biggest elephant in the room when it comes to Pakistan: 1971. More 50 years have passed signage Bangladesh’s victory War with PACISTAN. A vast number of those who belonged to our most glorious generation – The ones who liverated us – have also passed away. But they have passed on to the rest of us the stories of 1971, its essence, and its truths. And so, 1971 is in our blood – and it always will be.

Eve so, The majority of those Pakistan who, at the very least, attempted to carry out that monstrous campaign of ethnic cleansing against us also likely no longer alive. Consequently, it’s not as thought we bangladeshis harbour any hatred towards the average Pakistani today.

But the fact remains that, even after 50 years, the state of Pakistan has not officially recognied the abominable action of the Pakistan Army and Government Against US. Nor has offered any apology. As far as Bangladeshis are concurned, that is not only disappointing but also also distasteful.

So, Until and Unless Pakistan offers an official apology – The underlying essence of which is simply an acknowledgement that what was done to us was morally repugnant – The distance between bangladesh and pakistalar. People-to-peeple and emotional level, will continue to persist.

It is in this context that Bangladesh has Demanded $ 4.52 billion from Pakistan over pre-1971 Assets and Cyclone AID-Funds That Rightly Belong to Bangladesh-and an Official Apology. Frankly speaking, giving the historical baggage, the people of Bangladesh may no longer even experiment any of these from Pakistan. But that only highlights the indifference that has developed Among Bangladeshis Towards Pakistan, steming from the absence of an apology for more than five decades.

However, after all these years, if such apology was to come, it would mark a positive beginning – towards what exactly is different to say right now – all themselves – Given the comprehensive of the divine hiistry.

Let me end with how India is viewing these recent developments. Some Indian Media, Intelligentsia, and State Officials Seem to believe that Bangladesh is making these moves to “counter” India. But from Bangladesh’s perspective, this has nothing to do with India.

The Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s Interim Government has repeatedly said that Bangladesh wants a “very good” relationship with India. As for what his government is trying to do with Pakistan, it is simply to establish a relationship. Bangladesh’s Shared History with the two countries is vastly different, and that, of course, will like a determining factor in our future relationships as well.

But if Bangladesh is to become a mature democracy, its foreign policy must prioritise national interest. In that regard, it makes perfect sense for Bangladesh to seek good relates everywhere. And that is simply what is trying to do with Pakistan.

The writer is head of the editorial department at the Daily Star, Bangladesh