Pakistan (Commonwealth Union)_ In a significant development that has the potential to alter the dynamics of South Asian geopolitics, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has granted Pakistani vessels access to the country’s ports after 53 years. This decision marks a historic shift in regional relations, particularly in the context of the long-standing tensions between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. For the first time since the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, a Pakistani cargo ship is set to dock at Bangladesh’s strategic Mongla Port. The ship, carrying 25,000 tons of rice, left Karachi’s Qasim Port a few days ago. It is expected to first anchor at the Chittagong Port, where it will unload approximately 60% of its cargo before continuing its journey to Mongla, the largest port in Bangladesh.
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This marks a key moment in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, with the arrival of the Pakistani ship representing a notable thaw in what had been a decades-long period of strained relations between the two nations. The ship’s arrival is particularly significant given that it is the first such visit since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. At that time, Bangladesh was engaged in a brutal armed struggle with Pakistan, which led to the country’s formation. The historical weight of this event cannot be understated, as it signifies a potential recalibration of Bangladesh’s foreign policy and its economic ties. This decision by Bangladesh’s interim government under Yunus, who assumed office on August 8, 2024, comes on the heels of warming relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
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In a move that surprised many, Yunus and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have been seen increasingly aligning their interests, breaking decades of hostility between the two neighbors. The arrival of the Pakistani vessel could be interpreted as a strategic effort by both countries to bolster their economic and political ties. Additionally, the recent granting of port access to Pakistan also sends a clear signal to India, which has long enjoyed preferential access to Bangladesh’s ports. Under the previous leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh had allowed India to utilize both the Chittagong and Mongla ports, enhancing sub-regional connectivity. However, this new development shifts the balance, as Pakistan is now allowed to operate in these same strategic spaces, raising concerns in New Delhi about the broader implications for regional security.
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The cargo ship’s journey to Mongla is also of particular note due to the port’s recent change in operational management. In July 2024, India won the rights to operate a terminal at Mongla, a key strategic asset in the region. This move was widely seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in South Asia, as India sought to secure its position within the region by gaining control over key foreign ports, including those at Chabahar in Iran and Sittwe in Myanmar. The entry of Pakistani vessels into Mongla could now be perceived as an effort by Dhaka and Islamabad to mitigate India’s influence in the region, especially as China has also shown interest in increasing its footprint.
In addition to the rice shipment, which is part of a government-to-government deal for 50 metric tons of Basmati rice, experts suggest that this new partnership could have broader ramifications. Diplomatic sources in Dhaka have also reported growing influence by Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, within key Bangladeshi institutions, including its legal system. There are concerns that this could compromise Bangladesh’s security, particularly in the context of Pakistan’s support for radical groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, the Islami Chhatra Shibir. These organizations have been accused of fostering instability within Bangladesh, which in turn could have repercussions for India’s security interests in the region.
While the growing economic and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh present opportunities for enhanced cooperation, we cannot ignore the risks associated with these developments. Bangladesh’s decision to allow Pakistani vessels access to its ports is a move that will likely continue to provoke significant concern in India, which has long viewed Pakistan’s regional activities with suspicion. As the Pakistani ship reaches Chittagong and Mongla ports, the world eyes the broader geopolitical consequences of this shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy. How India responds to these developments and their impact on regional security and economics in the coming years is unknown.
