Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation on Monday with the Chief Advisor of the Government of Bangladesh, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus to extend his warm wishes and greetings on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr.

While recalling their most warm and productive meetings in New York and Cairo on the margins of the UNGA and D-8 Summit last year, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction at the positive momentum in bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in trade and travel.

The two leaders reaffirmed their shared desire to further strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

In this regard, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan looked forward to the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to Dhaka in April and said that a trade delegation would also accompany him.

He also underscored the need to revive institutional mechanisms to reinvigorate the bilateral relationship at all levels.

The exchange of cultural troupes to promote people-to-people contact was also discussed. In this regard, the Prime Minister invited a Bangladesh cultural troupe, comprising old and new artists, including the legendary Runa Laila, to visit Pakistan.

The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to the Bangladesh Chief Adviser to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

Indian media goes into panic mode

Indian media outlets have prominently covered the recent communication between Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, highlighting the mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.​

According to The Times of India, during their telephonic conversation, both leaders exchanged Eid ul-Fitr greetings and emphasized enhancing ties through increased trade, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contacts.

Sharif announced that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister would visit Dhaka on April 22, accompanied by a trade delegation.

He also extended an invitation to Yunus to visit Pakistan and invited a Bangladeshi cultural troupe, including the legendary singer Runa Laila, to perform in Pakistan.

Sharif expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, stating, “The future looks bright for Pakistan-Bangladesh ties, Inshallah.”

India Today reported on a prior meeting between the two leaders during the D-8 Summit in Cairo, where Yunus emphasized resolving longstanding issues stemming from the 1971 war to move forward.

He advocated for a comprehensive resolution for future generations.

In response, Sharif expressed a desire to strengthen the relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh, describing Bangladesh as a “brotherly country.”

Both leaders agreed to enhance relations through increased trade, commerce, and cultural exchanges. ​

Additionally, Navbharat Times highlighted that both leaders emphasized the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and discussed organizing a summit to strengthen regional cooperation.

Sharif offered technical assistance to Bangladesh for better management of state-owned sugar mills and expressed condolences over deaths caused by dengue outbreaks in Bangladesh, suggesting that Dhaka could benefit from Pakistan’s experience in combating the disease.

He also invited Yunus to visit Pakistan at his convenience. ​

These reports underscore a renewed commitment between Pakistan and Bangladesh to address historical grievances and work collaboratively towards mutual prosperity through enhanced diplomatic and economic engagement.​

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