Wed Feb 26 07:02:04 UTC 2025: **Bangladesh and Pakistan Sign Historic Rice Trade Deal Amidst Geopolitical Shifts**
DHAKA, BANGLADESH—In a landmark development, Bangladesh and Pakistan have concluded their first-ever government-to-government trade agreement, involving the import of 50,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan to Bangladesh. This agreement marks a significant step forward in bilateral relations between the two nations, which share a complex history marked by conflict and strained ties following the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s independence.
The deal, finalized on February 25th, 2025, comes after a recent resumption of private trade between the two countries in November 2024. This involved the first direct cargo shipment between Karachi and Chittagong ports in decades, signaling a thaw in relations. The current government-to-government agreement further solidifies this improved relationship.
According to Ziauddin Ahmed, a senior official at Bangladesh’s food ministry, this rice import offers Bangladesh a new avenue for sourcing the staple grain at competitive prices. The move diversifies Bangladesh’s import sources, which previously relied heavily on countries like India, Thailand, and Vietnam. This is particularly crucial given Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change and its susceptibility to devastating floods and cyclones.
The agreement comes against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region. Following a revolution in August 2024 that ousted the long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina, relations between Bangladesh and India have become strained. This has inadvertently allowed for the strengthening of ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Meanwhile, China is actively courting Bangladesh, with several visits from Bangladeshi political delegations to Beijing. This increased engagement with China further complicates the regional power balance, with India and China vying for influence in South Asia. China’s offer of dedicated hospitals for Bangladeshi patients further underscores the competition for influence in the region.
First Piper 