Bangladesh FM thanks Dar for ‘warm felicitations’, seeks closer relations

Dr Khalilur Rahman and Shama Obaed Islam assumed offices of FM and state minister for foreign affairs

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s newly appointed federal and state ministers for foreign affairs have thanked Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for his ‘warm felicitations’ on their assumption of office and expressed their desire to deepen ties between the two countries.

In a tweet on X, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Bangladesh attaches high importance to its brotherly relationship with Pakistan and looks forward to working together for further deepening ties based on mutual respect, understanding, and shared interests.”

FM Dar earlier congratulated newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on assuming charge of their offices.

Congratulating the Bangladesh FM, Dar wrote, “I am confident that his vast diplomatic experience and commitment to regional peace, stability and connectivity will greatly benefit the people of Bangladesh, the region, and beyond.”

Dar reaffirmed to further deepen the brotherly ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, and to advance mutually beneficial bilateral & multilateral cooperation.

“I look forward to working closely with her to further strengthen Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and to advancing regional peace, stability, and mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of shared interest,” Dar said while felicitating the Bangladesh state minister.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman named a former commerce minister to steer the country’s troubled economy and kept the defence portfolio for himself as he formed his first cabinet.

The 50-member cabinet announced in a gazette notification issued late on Tuesday included Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, 76, a businessman and veteran lawmaker who has now returned to the finance ministry.

Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Tuesday, along with newly elected lawmakers. Rahman succeeds an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which governed the country for 18 months after the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in 2024.

Pakistan’s leadership has readily engaged the incoming leadership, both in the lead-up to and after the polls. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also met Rahman for a meeting.

The ouster of the Awami League government led to the rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

They signed several agreements in August 2025 aimed at enhancing cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education, and cultural exchanges, marking a significant step forward in efforts to reset relations after years of frosty ties. Web Desk