Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Thursday his intent to strengthen relations with Pakistan, a step that could further strain the already tense ties between Bangladesh and India. Yunus, who met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a summit in Cairo, emphasized the importance of addressing unresolved issues stemming from Bangladesh’s brutal 1971 war of independence. The two countries, once united, split after a violent conflict, with Bangladesh later forging closer ties with India, Pakistan's main rival. However, following a recent political upheaval in Bangladesh, where a student-led revolution led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Yunus, who assumed leadership in the interim, seeks to revive relations with Islamabad.

Yunus and Sharif discussed the historical grievances from the 1971 separation, expressing mutual determination to move forward. They agreed to strengthen bilateral relations through increased trade, commerce, and cultural exchanges. A significant step toward improving relations was the recent arrival of the first cargo ship from Pakistan to Bangladesh in decades, unloading containers in Chittagong port. Both leaders also expressed interest in revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has stalled due to tensions between Pakistan and India. Yunus plans to push for a summit, viewing even a symbolic meeting as a way to send a powerful message of cooperation.