Bangladesh Seeks Resolution of 1971 Legacy Issues in Landmark Talks with Pakistan

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Bangladesh and Pakistan convened their first foreign secretary-level discussions in 15 years, with Dhaka formally raising longstanding bilateral concerns stemming from the 1971 Liberation War. The high-level Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) was held at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka, ahead of Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s scheduled visit to Bangladesh on April 27 and 28.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen emphasized the importance of addressing “historically unresolved issues” as a prerequisite for building a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations. Key among Dhaka’s demands was a formal public apology from Islamabad for the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the 1971 war, which led to the independence of Bangladesh.

“We believe this is the right moment to resolve the historical injustices and pave the way for a stronger bilateral partnership,” said Momen following the dialogue with his Pakistani counterpart, Amna Baloch.

The discussions also covered other critical matters, including the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, the equitable division of pre-1971 state assets, the transfer of international aid funds originally designated for victims of the 1970 Bhola cyclone, and the recovery of an outstanding USD 200 million in foreign donations intended for East Pakistan at the time.

Bangladesh further reiterated its demand for a settlement of USD 4.3 billion, representing its claimed share of undivided Pakistan’s assets following the separation in 1971.

In response, Pakistan conveyed its willingness to remain engaged in the dialogue process, expressing a constructive approach to addressing the issues raised.

As part of her official engagements, Foreign Secretary Baloch separately met with Chief Adviser of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain.

The meeting takes place against the backdrop of shifting regional dynamics and a perceived recalibration in Dhaka’s foreign policy orientation since the change in leadership last year. Observers note that the interim government has adopted a more measured stance regarding the legacy of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, even as historical narratives surrounding the Liberation War remain a sensitive topic in both domestic and bilateral contexts.

When asked about the possibility of currency depreciation being factored into the financial claims, Momen clarified that the amounts were presented in their historical context during the preliminary talks, with more detailed discussions expected in follow-up meetings.

The FOC concluded with the confirmation of dates for the upcoming visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh on April 27 and 28.

Clarifying Dhaka’s diplomatic positioning, Momen stated that Bangladesh aims to pursue a foreign policy rooted in “mutual respect and mutual benefit,” and emphasized that the engagement with Pakistan should not be construed as a pivot away from New Delhi or any other strategic partner.