Islamabad (TDI): Bangladesh High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan on Wednesday highlighted the critical role of trade, connectivity, and regional cooperation in shaping South Asia’s development, particularly under the influence of a new generation of leaders driven by youth-led movements in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Addressing a batch of probationary officers at the Foreign Service Academy (FSA), Khan called for stronger regional ties, expanded bilateral trade, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges. He stressed that Pakistan–Bangladesh relations remain underutilised and argued that South Asia’s progress depends on collaboration rather than isolation.
“The two countries already share a robust trade foundation, particularly in raw materials and textiles,” the envoy said. Pakistan, he noted, supplies significant quantities of cotton and dolomite to Bangladesh’s thriving ready-made garments industry, one of the largest globally, and exports rice to meet Bangladesh’s growing demand. In return, Bangladesh is a major exporter of jute, pineapple, and garments. Khan highlighted the untapped potential for further diversification and stressed the need to scale up the growing two-way flow of business and investment.
Khan pointed to the historical connectivity routes of South Asia, from the Grand Trunk Road linking Kabul to Chittagong and onward to Myanmar, to the railways built during the British era, as evidence of the region’s deep cultural and economic ties. He observed that today’s youth are better educated, informed, and ambitious, demanding political systems that deliver opportunity and accountability.
Referring to Bangladesh’s recent political shift in 2024, Khan said the change reflected youth-driven demands for accountability and opportunity, with upcoming elections expected to usher in a new generation of leadership. Similar movements in Nepal and Sri Lanka, he added, signal rising public expectations across the region.
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Khan also discussed trade inefficiencies he observed during visits in Pakistan. He cited the production of Surma in Sukkur, largely consumed in India but routed through third countries due to limited direct trade channels, and Pashmina shawls from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, which travel through Dubai before reaching Pakistan. “Better regional cooperation can eliminate such gaps, benefiting producers directly instead of middlemen,” he said, noting that many Pakistani products are labeled as Indian in global markets, resulting in lost economic value and national identity.
Responding to questions, Khan acknowledged SAARC’s limited effectiveness due to unresolved issues between India and Pakistan. He noted that alternative regional frameworks, such as BIMSTEC in the East and ECO in the West, have made progress by leveraging cultural and historical affinities. “Artificial barriers remain, but people across borders are ready to embrace each other. SAARC will revive when the conditions are right,” he said.
The High Commissioner also emphasized the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, urging joint action and preparedness. “Borders cannot be an excuse when catastrophe strikes. Germany’s post-war resilience was built on public education, and we must prioritise similar measures,” he said.
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Khan highlighted that public sentiment in Bangladesh toward India mirrors Pakistan’s, shaped by geographic and economic disparities. He warned that without education and development, populations are susceptible to distractions from real issues. “The new generation, informed and globally aware, is poised to drive South Asia toward greater connectivity, cooperation, and prosperity,” he added.
