‘Apologise and pay $4.3 billion’: Bangladesh to Pakistan | 10 key takeaways from historic talks

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch (Credits: AP)

In the first foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries in 15 years, Bangladesh raised “historically unresolved issues" and urged Pakistan to issue a formal apology for the genocide committed by its armed forces during the 1971 Liberation War.

Dhaka also brought up several unresolved matters, including its rightful share of undivided Pakistan’s assets—estimated at $4.3 billion—and the repatriation of Pakistanis still stranded in the country.

The demand was raised during bilateral foreign office talks in Dhaka, where Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin met with his Pakistani counterpart Amna Baloch.

“We have raised the historically unresolved issues with Pakistan," said Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin.

He further added “The repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, equitable distribution of undivided assets, transfer of foreign aid funds sent for the victims of the 1970 cyclone, and a formal public apology for the genocide committed by the then Pakistani military in 1971."

Let's take closer at what happened at the secretary-level between the two nations.

• During the first foreign secretary-level talks in 15 years, Bangladesh raised long-standing, unresolved issues with Pakistan.
• Dhaka urged Pakistan to offer a formal apology for the genocide committed by its military during the 1971 Liberation War.
• Bangladesh also demanded its fair share of undivided Pakistan’s assets, estimated at $4.3 billion.
• The repatriation of stranded Pakistanis was another key issue brought to the table.
• These demands were presented during bilateral talks held in Dhaka between Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and his Pakistani counterpart Amna Baloch.
• Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin expressed hope for the revival of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• Following the discussions at the Padma state guest house, Amna Baloch separately met with Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain.
• Bangladesh requested Pakistan to pay the outstanding USD 200 million in foreign aid meant for victims of the 1970 cyclone in the former East Pakistan.
• When asked if currency devaluation was considered in quoting the amounts, the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary stated that the issue was introduced during the Foreign Office Consultations. He mentioned that further details on this matter will be discussed in upcoming talks.
• When asked if Bangladesh was shifting its focus toward Islamabad instead of New Delhi, Uddin clarified that Bangladesh aimed to build a relationship with Pakistan based on "mutual respect" and "mutual benefit."

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on April 27-28, as confirmed by the Foreign Secretary during the Foreign Office Consultations.