Relationship dossier
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Relationship assessment
Formal relations coexist with enduring disputes over the 1971 war and its unresolved legacy.
Bangladesh toward Pakistan
-25Bangladesh agreed to the 1974 tripartite settlement on prisoners and repatriation, including not prosecuting Pakistani prisoners of war. Its governments have also continued to raise unresolved questions concerning Pakistan’s responsibility for the 1971 war, an apology, and Bangladesh’s share of assets.
Pakistan toward Bangladesh
-25Pakistan recognized Bangladesh in 1974 and took part in the tripartite settlement on prisoners and repatriation. Pakistan has not resolved Bangladesh’s longstanding demands for a formal apology and settlement of 1971-related claims, and the war’s legacy has remained a source of diplomatic friction.
Overall relationship
-25The 1974 recognition and settlement established a basis for formal relations and addressed immediate repatriation issues. However, the legacy of the 1971 war and unresolved claims over apology and assets have remained enduring sources of friction, limiting the significance of the cooperative steps.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Bangladesh–Pakistan relations remain shaped by the 1971 war and unresolved questions of apology, assets, and repatriation. The governments reached a 1974 tripartite settlement on prisoners and repatriation, and Pakistan recognized Bangladesh that year. These steps enabled formal relations but did not resolve major historical grievances; subsequent diplomatic exchanges have included public disputes over the 1971 legacy.
Areas of tension
- Bangladesh’s demands for a formal Pakistani apology for the 1971 war
- Disagreements over Bangladesh’s share of assets from the former united Pakistan
- Repatriation and related claims arising from the 1971 war
- Diplomatic disputes over public statements concerning the 1971 war and its aftermath
Key developments
Pakistan recognized Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India concluded a tripartite agreement addressing repatriation of prisoners of war and civilians.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of later bilateral cooperation are unclear.
- The governments’ current positions on outstanding 1971-related claims may have changed.