BD, Pakistan's FM discuss strengthening ties

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and his Pakistan counterpart Ishaq Dar discussed further strengthening ties between the two countries during a meeting held in Anatlya, Turkey on Friday.

It was their first in-person exchanges since the BNP-led government assumed power in February.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the two-day “Anatlya Diplomacy Forum 2026,” an annual conference on international diplomacy hosted by Turkey since 2021.

“Pleased to meet Dr Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, on the sidelines of #ADF2026 today,” Ishaq Dar, also Pakistan’s deputy prime minister, wrote on his official X handle, following the meeting.

“We discussed strengthening Pakistan–Bangladesh ties and exchanged views on regional developments, including Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue. I look forward to our continued positive and forward-looking engagement,” he added.

Dar was referring to Pakistan’s ongoing role in mediating truce between the US and Iran, amid Middle East tensions.

Dar visited Dhaka in August last year, marking the first high-level visit by a Pakistani official to Bangladesh in 13 years.