After more than 15 years, Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to hold Foreign Secretary-level Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on April 17 in Dhaka, a move that could potentially heighten tensions with India. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch, will arrive in Dhaka with a delegation from Islamabad to meet with Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, at the State Guest House Padma.

While no specific agenda has been finalized, the meeting is expected to cover a broad range of topics of mutual interest. Given the lengthy gap since the last FOC between the two nations in 2010, officials say the talks will be comprehensive, though prioritizing the topics remains challenging. During the 15 years of Sheikh Hasina's rule in Bangladesh, diplomatic relations with Pakistan were severed. However, following the rise of the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus, relations between the two countries have significantly improved, with Bangladesh welcoming Pakistan's presence back into Dhaka. Since then, Pakistan has increased its diplomatic and trade activities in the country.

Pakistan’s army and intelligence agency, ISI, have become more active in Bangladesh, and Islamabad is also working to expand its trade relations with Dhaka, despite challenges related to transportation costs. There are discussions about improving connectivity between the two countries, including potential direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with airlines like Fly Jinnah and Air Sial showing interest in operating routes. In addition to the FOC, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to visit Dhaka later this month, marking the first visit of a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh since 2012. This visit is expected to take place in the final week of April.