Deepanwita Martin
The establishment of direct maritime ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, after decades of diplomatic estrangement, marks a historic moment for the region. However, this growing relationship is raising concerns in India, given its strategic interests in the Chittagong and Mongla ports since the 1970s.
First Pakistani Vessel at Chittagong in Five Decades
A Pakistani cargo ship docked at Bangladesh’s Chittagong port last week, signaling the first direct maritime connection between the two nations in over 50 years. The vessel from Karachi successfully unloaded its cargo at Bangladesh’s southeastern coast, a development confirmed by port officials and reported by AFP on Sunday. This move reflects efforts by both nations to rebuild ties strained since the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
The direct sea route underscores a significant geopolitical shift in relations between India’s western and eastern neighbors. For New Delhi, this development has implications, especially given Bangladesh’s geographical proximity to India’s northeastern states.
Cargo ship Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, carring goods from Pak, docked at Bangladesh’s Chittagong port
Details of the Historic Voyage
The Panama-flagged container ship Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, spanning 182 meters (597 feet), sailed from Karachi to Chittagong. It unloaded its cargo in Bangladesh on November 11 before departing the port, as per Chittagong official Omar Faruq.
The ship carried goods from Pakistan and the UAE, including raw materials for Bangladesh’s pivotal garment industry and essential food supplies. Previously, Pakistani goods were transferred via feeder vessels through intermediate ports such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, or Singapore. In September, however, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, eased import restrictions on Pakistani goods, removing mandatory physical inspections that had caused significant delays.
This development is widely viewed as a strategic step by Bangladesh’s interim administration to foster stronger ties with Pakistan.
Reactions in Bangladesh
A post by Pakistan’s envoy to Dhaka, Syed Ahmed Maroof, praising the new direct shipping route as a “major step” for bilateral trade, sparked considerable discussion on Bangladeshi social media. “The route will promote new opportunities for businesses on both sides,” Maroof wrote on Facebook, highlighting the economic potential of the connection.
The 1971 Liberation War: A Shadow on Relations
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have remained fraught since their split in 1971, following Bangladesh’s Liberation War. The brutal conflict, known as Mukti Juddho, led to the deaths of an estimated 3 million people and widespread atrocities, including the rape and torture of thousands. These events have left a deep imprint on Bangladesh’s collective memory.
Bangladesh, previously East Pakistan, became independent after a nine-month war against West Pakistan, supported by Indian forces. Bilateral ties between the two nations remained cold, particularly during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure in Dhaka, where her government focused on justice for the 1971 atrocities.
Sheikh Hasina’s Legacy and India’s Role Post-1971
Sheikh Hasina, who served as Bangladesh’s prime minister from 1996 to 2001 and 2009 to 2024, prioritized prosecuting war criminals through the International Crimes Tribunal, established in 2010. Her administration also banned the pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami, whose leader Abdul Quader Mollah was executed for war crimes in 2013.
India and Bangladesh fostered closer ties under Hasina’s rule, with India’s support during the Liberation War forming a strong historical bond. Hasina’s relationship with the Nehru-Gandhi family and her government’s crackdown on terrorism further solidified ties.
However, Hasina’s ouster following widespread protests and allegations of autocratic rule has shifted the regional dynamics.
The Fall of Hasina and Its Aftermath
Protests leading to Sheikh Hasina’s removal revealed growing discontent within Bangladesh over her leadership. Critics accused her of suppressing opposition and relying excessively on India, fueling anti-India sentiment. In July, her branding of protestors as “razakars” backfired, amplifying public outrage over economic and social grievances.
This resentment culminated in the vandalism of the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka in August, a symbolic attack on India’s influence. The rise of the Jamaat-e-Islami under the interim government further reflects shifting political tides in Bangladesh.
Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations Post-Hasina
Since the change in leadership, the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has demonstrated a willingness to deepen ties with Pakistan. Yunus and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed strengthening cooperation during the UN General Assembly in September.
“The maritime link is essential for reviving our relations,” Yunus stated, emphasizing the need for a fresh start in bilateral ties.
Domestically, Bangladesh’s Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman has proposed removing “socialism” and “secularism” from the constitution, signaling a potential shift toward a more Islamic state. This move has raised concerns about the country’s ideological direction.
Extradition Calls and Legal Challenges
Bangladesh’s interim government has also sought the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who is in exile in India. Accused of “massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity,” Hasina faces arrest warrants and potential international legal action.
The Nobel laureate Yunus, now Bangladesh’s chief advisor, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to justice for the events leading to Hasina’s ouster. He also confirmed plans to request an Interpol “red notice” for key figures of her regime.
Implications for India
The growing partnership between Pakistan and Bangladesh presents strategic challenges for India. Increased narcotics trafficking linked to Pakistan and the potential for destabilizing activities by Pakistan’s ISI are immediate concerns.
Historically, India has relied on its ties with Hasina to monitor sensitive activities, such as the 2004 interception of Chinese arms shipments at Chittagong port, reportedly intended for the banned ULFA.
Yunus, however, has assured India of continued close ties. “Relations between the two countries must be very close. There can be no alternative to this,” he told Prothom Alo in October, emphasizing shared interests in economics, security, and water.
A New Chapter in South Asian Diplomacy
Yunus’s government has prioritized strengthening ties within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) while maintaining cooperative relations with India. However, tensions persist, particularly over the violent aftermath of Hasina’s removal, which resulted in over 600 deaths, including Hindus, according to the UN.
“Things will be clear to them when they see that the entire world is accepting us,” Yunus said, addressing India’s concerns. Despite challenges, he reiterated the importance of mutual cooperation in navigating the region’s complex dynamics.
Sub Editor, The Voice News