Pakistan and Bangladesh on Sunday signed six agreements and MoUs to expand bilateral cooperation during ministerial-level talks in Dhaka.

The understanding was reached during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh.

Ishaq Dar also led the Pakistani delegation in the ministerial-level talks on Sunday. Foreign Adviser Touhid Hussain led the Bangladeshi delegation.

Several agreements and MoUs were signed during the talks, including for holders of diplomatic and official passports, cooperation between foreign services academies, and an MoU between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Bangladesh Strategic Studies Institute.

An agreement was also signed to establish a joint working group for trade promotion between the two countries.

Additional Foreign Secretary Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Haider and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Muhand Iqbal Hussain Khan were also present at the meeting.

Dar meets Bangladeshi foreign adviser

Earlier, Ishaq Dar and Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh Touhid Hossain on Sunday reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including high-level exchanges, trade and economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, cooperation on education and capacity building, and humanitarian issues.

During wide-ranging talks, regional and international issues, including rejuvenation of SAARC and resolution of Palestine and the Rohingya issue, were also discussed, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

“The talks took place in a constructive atmosphere, reflecting the existing goodwill and cordiality between the two countries. Both sides agreed to work for further strengthening of bilateral relations,” the statement added.

Bangladeshi foreign adviser also hosted a lunch in honour of the deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Dar meets Bangladeshi commerce adviser

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had a breakfast meeting with Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin. Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan also attended the meeting.

The two sides discussed ways to promote economic and trade cooperation, with special emphasis on increasing trade and promoting connectivity.

On this occasion, Dar interacted with personalities from different walks of life, including advisers to the Bangladeshi government, bureaucrats, leadership of political parties, vice-chancellors, intellectuals and members of think tanks, athletes, artists, journalists, retired generals and others.

In his speech, Ishaq Dar emphasised the brotherly sentiments of the Pakistani people towards the people of Bangladesh.