Bangladesh and Pakistan resume trade after 54 years

Until March 1971, Bangladesh was part of Pakistan as the Eastern Province.

Bangladesh and Pakistan have resumed bilateral trade relations, which were interrupted in 1971 after the proclamation of the sovereign Bengal state. This was reported by The Times of India.

The first vessel with 25 thousand tons of rice sailed to Bangladesh from the Pakistani port of Qasim after Dhaka and Islamabad signed an agreement in February to supply 50 thousand tons of rice through the channels of the Pakistan Trading Corporation. The second similar shipment will be delivered to the country in early March. Bangladesh and Pakistan said that the start of exports of Pakistani rice was a positive step in strengthening economic cooperation and resumption of trade between the two countries.

Until March 1971, Bangladesh, as the Eastern Province, was part of Pakistan. As a result of the victory in the national liberation war over the Pakistani army, won with the support of Indian troops, Bangladesh declared its independence on March 26, 1971. The country began to develop relations with neighboring India, and trade ties with Pakistan were cut off.

On August 5, 2024, amid anti-government demonstrations, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country. On the same day, she flew to India, where, according to the Indian authorities, she was placed in a safe place. The protests against Sheikh Hasina and her government were attended by students dissatisfied with high unemployment and lack of prospects. On August 8, 2024, an interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was sworn in in Bangladesh.

Tags: rice, Pakistan, Bangladesh