Bangladesh, Pakistan vow closer ties at home ministers' meeting in New York

Bangladesh and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with the two countries' home ministers holding high-level talks on security cooperation, counter-narcotics efforts, police training, urban safety and the Rohingya crisis.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a high-level event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, while Pakistan was represented by Interior and Narcotics Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi.

During the talks, Salahuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh seeks to deepen ties with Pakistan based on mutual respect, shared history and cooperation. He highlighted the memorandum of understanding signed during Naqvi's visit to Bangladesh in May to combat drug trafficking and illicit psychotropic substances, describing it as a significant step in strengthening regional security.

He also welcomed the resumption of direct Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights between Dhaka and Karachi earlier this year after a 14-year suspension, saying the route would boost people-to-people contact and trade.

The Bangladeshi side raised concerns over difficulties faced by people of Bangladeshi origin in Pakistan in obtaining Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), urging Islamabad to address the issue on humanitarian grounds.

Salahuddin also sought Pakistan's technical support in urban policing, including its Safe City initiative, as well as advanced training opportunities for Bangladesh Police personnel.

On the Rohingya crisis, he called for Pakistan's continued support in international forums to ensure the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Naqvi invited Salahuddin Ahmed to visit Pakistan, and the invitation was accepted in principle for a future date.