Bangladesh, Pakistan FMs hold first bilateral meeting in Türkiye

Foreign Minister (FM) Khalilur Rahman and Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held their first official bilateral meeting since the formation of the current government in Bangladesh.

The meeting took place on Friday (April 17) on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye.

In a social media post after the meeting, Ishaq Dar said both sides discussed strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and exchanged views on regional developments, including Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue.

He expressed hope for continued “positive and forward-looking” engagement between the two countries.

Earlier, both ministers participated in a South Asia-focused panel discussion at the forum, alongside Afghanistan’s Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi.

During the session, Bangladesh Foreign Minister praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in easing regional tensions, particularly in the Middle East.

“We deeply appreciate the extraordinary and historic efforts by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in contributing to peace in a highly volatile region,” Khalilur Rahman said.

Referring to developments around the Strait of Hormuz, he welcomed the easing of maritime restrictions, saying it signals progress toward stability.

Highlighting broader regional risks, he warned that no country can remain insulated from the economic impact of Middle East conflicts, stressing the need for collective resilience.

He also cautioned that rising energy pressures and subsidy constraints could significantly affect development spending and economic growth.

The Bangladeshi foreign minister is currently on a three-day visit to Türkiye, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir. He is scheduled to travel to Brussels on Sunday (April 19) before heading to Ethiopia.