Bangladesh has formally demanded an apology from Pakistan over the events of the 1971 war, during a recent meeting between the foreign secretaries of both countries in Dhaka, according to international media reports.

The issue was reportedly raised by Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen during bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart. In addition to the apology, Dhaka also demanded the settlement of $4.52 billion it claims as dues following its independence.

Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen stated that resolving these historical and financial issues is essential for improving bilateral relations.

"The normalization of our relations depends on addressing these longstanding matters," he said, adding that both sides also discussed opportunities for trade and investment during the meeting.

The Bangladeshi government emphasized the need to overcome obstacles hampering bilateral ties and called for a forward-looking approach while addressing unresolved disputes.

Pakistan, Bangladesh Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Pakistan and Bangladesh held the sixth round of bilateral consultations in Dhaka after a 15-year gap

The meeting was held at the invitation of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and attended by senior officials from both countries, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The talks reflected a mutual desire to revitalize political, economic, cultural, educational, and strategic cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed that their bilateral relationship is grounded in shared history, cultural affinity, and people-to-people ties.

Pakistan offered educational opportunities to Bangladeshi students in its agricultural universities, while Bangladesh offered technical training in fisheries and marine sciences. Bangladesh also appreciated scholarship offers made by Pakistani private universities and called for deeper collaboration in education.

The delegations welcomed the launch of direct shipping between Karachi and Chittagong and stressed the importance of restoring direct air links. They also expressed satisfaction over progress in visa facilitation and people-to-people exchange.

Both sides agreed that SAARC must be reactivated based on its founding principles. The Pakistani delegation briefed the Bangladeshi side on the situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and expressed hope that SAARC processes remain insulated from bilateral disputes.

Bangladeshi foreign secretary welcomed Deputy PM Ishaq Dar’s upcoming visit and confirmed that the next round of consultations will be held in Islamabad in 2026.