Islamabad (TDI): Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, spoke on telephone with his Saudi and Bangladeshi counterparts, and discussed matters of mutual interest.
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud, was in Washington DC while he spoke with his Pakistani counterpart and reaffirmed cooperation on all issues. While in DC, he had an important meeting with US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
For months now, Saudi Arabia has been facilitating indirect talks between Russia and Ukraine, by being the host country for the negotiations.
Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud @FaisalbinFarhan today. The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed… pic.twitter.com/BLzGSMeMm6
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 9, 2025
In their telephone conversation, FM Dar and FM Faisal Bin Al-Saud reiterated commitments regarding bilateral cooperation; as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s partnership goes well beyond trade and economy.
Both countries regularly exchange military trainings, collaborate in defense tech, discuss and deliberate regional issues – especially geopolitics of the Middle East.
Israel’s ongoing oppressive onslaught on Gaza has kept Pakistan closely in touch with Saudi Arabia and both countries have been periodically revisiting and reviewing the fast unfolding situation.
In addition to this telephonic exchange, DPM/FM Dar also spoke to the Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Md Touhid Hossain.
Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a phone call with Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Md. Touhid Hossain. The two leaders exchanged Eid greetings, discussed areas of mutual interest, and… pic.twitter.com/VCw9XBab9c
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 9, 2025
This, among other moves, hints at a normalization of ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh. In their talk, “The two leaders exchanged Eid greetings, discussed areas of mutual interest, and reiterated their commitment for future engagements and cooperation.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Sec Amna Baloch is also set to visit Dhaka on April 17th, which will be a first official visit to the country after a thirteen years’ long break. Under the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina Wajid, relations between the two countries remained tense and mostly suspended.
Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina amidst dramatic protests by young Bangladeshi students in August last year, Pakistan has hoped for better relations with the country.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
