Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held in-depth talks with top political parties during his recently concluded visit to Dhaka, where he raised the issue of Indian influence in Bangladesh and how to counter it, according to several party leaders.
The Pakistani side was keen to discuss the topic, although the discussions with BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) primarily revolved around enhancing bilateral relations, trade, and commerce.
While BNP and NCP raised the issue of the 1971 Liberation War, Dar appeared less interested and instead focused on fostering closer ties with the political parties, while hoping that Bangladesh would reduce India’s dominance in its political and economic affairs.
TIMES of Bangladesh spoke to several leaders from the three parties. All refused to comment on the record regarding the issue of Indian influence.
Meeting with NCP
A group of NCP leaders, led by General Secretary Akhtar Hossain, held a meeting with Shaq Dar. One of the leaders, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the topic of Indian hegemony and preventing its influence in Bangladesh in the future received “special” emphasis during the discussion.
“We strongly raised the matter of Pakistan’s role in 1971, but Dar did not give any attention to it,” he said, adding that they also discussed increasing trade, education, and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
Akhtar said the issue of 1971 always arises whenever they talk about enhancing relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. “We also discussed the SAARC,” Akhtar Hossain told TIMES of Bangladesh, without commenting on Indian influence.
Meeting with BNP
BNP leaders were tight-lipped about some issues discussed in the meeting. However, when TIMES of Bangladesh reached out to two leaders who were present, they shared that the Pakistani delegation wanted to understand BNP’s stance regarding the neighbouring country [India], among other issues.
“He [Dar] wanted to be sure about BNP’s stance regarding India, especially how much BNP was planning to advance relations,” a senior BNP leader said, asking not to be named.
With BNP, Dar also brought up the issue of reviving the inactive SAARC, suggesting whether it could be done by excluding India, the leader added.
Meeting with Jamaat
Both sides discussed the current political situation, the July Uprising, and the forthcoming parliamentary elections, without bringing up the issues of the 1971 Liberation War.
Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, who led the Jamaat delegation, said: “The discussion was about matters related to the interests of both countries, regional trade, and how relations can be further expanded.”
Regarding the unresolved issues of 1971, he said it was a matter for the two governments. “We seek good relations with everyone,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s former high commissioner, who attended the talks, inquired about Jamaat’s position on its involvement in the future government formation process.
On the issue of India, Jamaat informed the meeting that the party remains cautious about India’s expansionist tendencies, sources said, without elaborating.
Jamaat not only opposed Bangladesh’s war of independence but also collaborated with Pakistan in 1971 and is accused of committing genocide. Jamaat maintains close relations with Pakistan.
Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has fostered strong ties with India while maintaining a strained relationship with Pakistan before being ousted from power a year ago. In contrast, BNP has a more cautious stance towards India and seems to maintain closer relations with Pakistan.
*TIMES of Bangladesh reporter M Shiful Islam and special correspondent Mossarraf Bablu contributed to this story.