Review of Literature

CWA # 1669
Review of Literature
Bangladesh–Pakistan Relations:
On Memory, Justice, Diplomacy, Strategy, and Narratives

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi
5 May 2025

Photo Source: SouthAsianVoices

The resumption of diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan in 2025 after fifteen years of diplomatic stagnation, demonstrates multiple layers of complexity through foreign secretary-level talks, public demands for an apology and reparations, and subtle changes in political discourse. The 1971 Liberation War's historical trauma persists in affecting relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, these developments reflect the convergence of strategic pragmatism, normative contestation over historical memory, and the shifting of regional balance of power.

The first formal diplomatic talks between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the foreign secretary level occurred in 2010. The 2025 April, foreign secretary-level talks held in Dhaka marked the first interaction between the states post 2010. Multiple strategic elements, both current and historical, support this renewal. Bangladesh seeks to improve its regional position through diplomatic diversification, which will move it away from its historical dependence on India and China. The normalization of relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh provides Pakistan with a chance to reduce its regional isolation while presenting a new diplomatic image after years of strained relations with neighboring countries.

Commentaries and editorials published in as The Daily Star and The Independent from Bangladesh, Dawn, The News International, and The Express Tribune from Pakistan, and The Indian Express and The Times of India from India, reflect the following. 

Emphasis on Historical Memory and Calls for Accountability
Historical events play an important role in diplomacy that comes post-conflict, especially in asymmetrical power relations. Bangladesh has always reiterated the demand for a formal apology from Pakistan for the 1971 Liberation War atrocities, which stands as an example for the efforts taken to institutionalize normative justice into aspects of interstate relations. This demand was raised by the officials during the 2025 foreign office consultations as well.

When a state calls for such acknowledgment it reflects the state’s active effort to assert moral authority in interstate relations. Bangladesh’s invocation of memory politics aims to construct a narrative of victimhood and justice that the world audience recognize. In this case Pakistan acknowledging past atrocities would create domestic opposition, strengthening calls for historical accountability in additional cases. The historical reckoning between Bangladesh and Pakistan serves as a moral necessity for closure but simultaneously creates barriers to diplomatic relations.

The News International published "Healing History" on April 20, 2025, to argue that acknowledgment is a fundamental requirement for achieving true reconciliation. The lack of an official apology indicates that Bangladesh politically uses memory to mobilize its population, but Pakistan continues to use selective historical amnesia as its standard diplomatic approach. This form of asymmetry in historical framing highlights the tension between realism and  constructivism.

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Demands for Economic Reparations and Transitional Justice
The demand for $4.5 billion in reparations from Bangladesh demonstrates the practical implementation of transitional justice principles that go beyond symbolic actions. The compensation request by Bangladesh follows international patterns where post-conflict nations establish reparative measures to resolve past injustices.

The Pakistani government has always considered demands of this nature as political in nature, but Bangladesh has now officially presented these claims during diplomatic negotiations. The formal articulation during diplomatic talks marks an evolution in Bangladesh's approach—transforming historical grievances into concrete financial claims. According to articles from Arab News, Pakistani officials have expressed worry that accepting reparations would create a "dangerous precedent" for both international and domestic disputes.

The implementation of economic reparations would serve three purposes: they would restore trust while acknowledging past harm and provide financial support for Bangladesh's development path. The political reality of actual payment makes reparations function more as a symbolic tool to maintain Bangladesh's moral position while exposing Pakistan's refusal to compromise. The economic justice notion directly connects to Bangladesh's national vision of historical dignity by including material recognition in its narrative of nation-building.

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Demands of Accountability, Forgiving and Looking Forward
Public diplomacy and media framing are crucial tools that the state uses to shape diplomatic narratives. The Daily Star and The Independent in Bangladesh promote engagement through their articles while maintaining that historical justice stands essential for the country ("Positive Move to Improve Ties," The Daily Star, April 19, 2025). Dawn and The News International in Pakistan focus on "forgiveness" and "forward-looking relations" providing little to no information about accountability.

The Indian media outlets The Indian Express and Times of India present strategic concerns by viewing Bangladesh's actions as part of a China-Pakistan-Bangladesh alliance. These framings influence popular perceptions, thereby indirectly impacting the diplomatic space available for political leaders. When looked at this from a soft power aspect, the control and contestation of narratives becomes central in shaping diplomatic actions and impact.

The 2025 diplomatic reset between Bangladesh and Pakistan demonstrates the multifaceted nature of contemporary diplomacy in South Asian countries. Bangladesh’s dual strategy of expanding their diplomatic footprint while maintain their demand for justice aligns with the state’s aim to raise as regional middle power. Pakistan a state constrained by external isolation and internal politics extends their aim for soft recalibration without giving into the normative demands. The interplay of realist interests, constructivist identity narratives, and the relevance of media framing is illustrated in this relationship. 

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India wants to be watchful
The 2025 thaw occurs within the broader context of shifting regional power configurations. Bangladesh’s assertive foreign policy which balances the existing strong economic ties with India, engaging with China via projects as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and now the resumption of diplomatic relations with Pakistan demonstrate a turn to towards multipolar engagement rather than allegiance to a single bloc.

The Indian Express commentary "As Pakistan and Bangladesh Get Close, India Should Be Watchful" (April 19, 2025) warns that India's strategic establishment views Bangladesh's moves with unease. But Dhaka's diplomatic maneuvers are less about antagonizing India and more about maximizing strategic space.

A stronger relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh provides Pakistan with a unique chance to participate in South Asian discussions that extend past its ongoing disputes with India. The balancing act of Bangladesh demonstrates its growth as a stronger regional power that can maintain multiple strategic alliances instead of following one direction.

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About the author
Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi is an undergraduate student at CHRIST (Deemed to be university) BGR campus, currently pursuing her degree under the Department of International Studies, Political Science and History.

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