Are Pakistan and Bangladesh eyeing a defence pact amid rising diplomatic tensions with India? Islamabad and Dhaka's bilateral ties may soon witness a major shift. Senior diplomatic and external ministry sources have told CNN-News18 that both neighbouring countries are nearing a proposed mutual defense agreement.
According to a top source in Pakistan’s foreign ministry, Bangladesh and Pakistan have established a joint mechanism to finalize the mutual pacts' contents and draft. The move signals the expansion of military-to-military engagement and closer strategic coordination between the countries. Bangladeshi military is eyeing a similar defence pact with Pakistan, like Saudi Arabia.
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Several rounds of talks on advancing the proposal have already taken place between the senior military leaderships of Bangladesh and Pakistan. A few military MoUs have also been signed in 2025 during in-person exchanges between both countries' top officials from the armies, air forces, and navies.
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Sources indicated that the final draft is likely to be reviewed and approved after the Bangladesh general elections in 2026. The rapid momentum in the improvement of ties came after Sheikh Hasina's regime collapsed in August 2024, following student protests.
Bangladesh and Pakistan are reviving their defense ties amid rising tension between New Delhi and Dhaka. According to a senior diplomatic source, at least 8 countries are keen to undergo a similar mutual defence pact with Pakistan.
Pakistan was the first to express solidarity with the Yunus government after the fall of Hasina's leadership last year. The bonhomie between Dhaka and bankrupt Islamabad has triggered fears of rising radicalisation towards the south asian country.
ISI chief Lt Gen Asim Malik's visit to Bangladesh was the first by a head of Pakistani intelligence in decades, sparking a serious security threat along the Indian borders. Sources suggest that Islamabad has secretly set up a special Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) cell within its High Commission in Dhaka, CNN-News18 reported.
Senior journalist Subir Bhaumik told The Federal that Bangladesh could be used by Pakistan or terrorist organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed to carry out attacks inside India. India and Bangladesh could also potentially be dragged into a conflict in such a situation.
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