For the first time since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, a cargo ship from Pakistan docked directly at the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh on November 11, 2024. This is a groundbreaking moment in history, signaling a new chapter in the relationship between these two neighboring countries.
Until now, Bangladesh and Pakistan had never had direct maritime contact, and goods from Pakistan had to be offloaded at other ports in countries like Sri Lanka or Malaysia before reaching Bangladesh. But this new direct sea route will drastically cut down on shipping time, making it easier and faster to move goods between the two countries.
This development is significant not only because of the economic benefits but also because it hints at a larger shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy. For the past several months, signals have been coming from Bangladesh’s government—led by Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus—that it may be drifting away from India and getting closer to Pakistan. This shift has raised concerns in New Delhi, which has been closely watching these changes.
The direct cargo link between Pakistan and Bangladesh is part of a broader trend. In September, Bangladesh had already started easing restrictions on imports from Pakistan, which had previously been heavily inspected. This made trading between the two countries slow and difficult. With the new direct maritime link, Bangladesh and Pakistan hope to increase trade and make supply chains more efficient, especially for Bangladesh’s key garment industry.
While this may seem like an economic move, the political undertones are hard to ignore. The cargo ship that docked at Chittagong brought goods from both Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, including raw materials and food items. Pakistani officials are optimistic about the new link, believing it will lead to stronger business ties between the two nations. On social media, many are hopeful that this could lead to even closer relations, including a direct flight between Islamabad and Dhaka and a possible free trade agreement.
But what’s even more intriguing is how these events are unfolding against the backdrop of rising anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh. After Prime Minister Yunus took power in August, Bangladesh’s relationship with India started to sour. In August, there were widespread rumors on social media in Bangladesh that India had deliberately caused flooding in Bangladesh by releasing water from a dam, making the already tense relationship with India even worse.
Things took a dramatic turn when Bangladesh held an event to commemorate the 76th death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The event even suggested that Bangladesh might not have gained independence without Pakistan, which is a controversial view. It was also announced that Bangladesh’s government might begin to downplay the importance of its independence leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in favor of honoring Jinnah’s legacy.
In addition, military ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan have strengthened. Bangladesh has placed large orders for weapons and ammunition from Pakistan, signaling deeper cooperation in defense matters. This includes significant purchases of ammunition, explosives, and projectiles from Pakistan’s military factories.
On top of this, Prime Minister Yunus has been meeting with Pakistani officials at international forums like the United Nations, discussing ways to strengthen cooperation. In one surprising move, Bangladesh even announced plans to cancel several national holidays related to its independence, something that would have been unthinkable under the previous government.
For India, all of this is deeply concerning. India shares a long border with Bangladesh and has always been a key partner in the country’s security and trade. Any shift in Bangladesh’s alignment away from India could have serious consequences for India’s security interests, especially in its northeastern states, which are vulnerable to insurgent groups operating in neighboring Bangladesh.
Furthermore, Bangladesh is heavily dependent on India for its energy needs, as it imports a significant amount of electricity from India. Economically, too, Bangladesh relies on India for many goods, from cotton and petroleum products to auto parts. In contrast, Pakistan’s trade with Bangladesh is minimal—only about $699 million compared to over $15 billion in trade between Bangladesh and India in 2023.
Despite this, the political signals coming from Dhaka suggest that Bangladesh may be trying to balance its relationship between India and Pakistan. While many hope that this thaw between Bangladesh and Pakistan will lead to greater peace in the region, India must remain cautious. The possibility of a closer Bangladesh-Pakistan relationship could be a game-changer for South Asia, but it remains to be seen how far this shift will go and how it will affect the future of the region.
