Reconnecting with Bangladesh

During Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Bangladesh, several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between the two countries. The ceremony, attended by top government officials, including Bangladesh’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Muhammad Touhid Hossain, marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations that had remained strained for decades.

Historically, it is undeniable that Bengal played a pivotal role in the success of the Pakistan Movement. The All-India Muslim League, the political party that led to the creation of Pakistan, was founded in Dhaka, the capital of present-day Bangladesh. People of Bengal, irrespective of religious affiliations, actively supported Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In this regard, prominent Bengali leaders and intellectuals, such as Jogendra Nath Mandal and Khwaja Nazimuddin, made significant contributions. At the historic Muslim League session on March 23, 1940, in Lahore, Fazl-ul-Haq, also known as Sher-e-Bengal, had presented the Pakistan Resolution.

Before British colonialism, the Subcontinent’s traditional society was characterised by interfaith harmony and societal solidarity. Bengal, in particular, was famous as a centre of interfaith coexistence. Several census records from colonial India also indicate that the people of Bengal, regardless of their religion, shared a common language, dress, food and customs, and lived in harmony.

Between the 8th and 12th centuries, Bengal was ruled by the Buddhist Pala kings, making it a flourishing hub of Buddhism. Numerous relics, stupas, and monasteries from that era still exist across Bangladesh. Bengal was also an important province of the Gupta Empire. However, in the 13th century, Muslim Sufi saints, including Hazrat Shah Jalal of Sylhet and Khan Jahan Ali of Bagerhat, started spreading Islam through compassion and dialogue with local Hindu and Buddhist communities.

Under Mughal Emperor Akbar, Bengal was the wealthiest province of the empire. Even after the Mughal decline, the Nawabs of Bengal ruled semi-independently from Murshidabad, then the richest city in India. It is on record that regardless of the rulers, Bengal’s society remained rooted in tolerance, prosperity and brotherhood.

For Hindus, Bengal has been more than geography; it is a sacred land. The Sundarbans, for example, hold deep spiritual significance, with devotion to Bon Bibi, serving as a joint tradition among local Hindus and Muslims alike. Even today, pilgrims of both faiths visit her shrine. Similarly, the dargah of Hazrat Shah Jalal is equally popular among Hindus and Muslims. Bengali folk culture – songs, poetry and stories – highlights characters from both faiths. The mystical verses of Lalon Fakir remain timeless, emphasising humanity above creed.

Unfortunately, just 24 years after independence, East Bengal – once at the forefront of the Pakistan Movement – was separated from us in 1971. The emergence of Bangladesh provided space for anti-Pakistan elements to foster hostility, temporarily overshadowing the historic bonds of affection between the Bengali people and the people of Pakistan.

When I was heading the Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Gandhara Tourism, the Bangladeshi ambassador also accompanied me to visit Buddhist archaeological sites. According to the Bangla envoy, there is around one million population of Buddhists in Bangladesh, mostly residing in the Chittagong region. With Buddhist tourism flourishing internationally, we discussed that the Gandhara heritage could serve as a bridge to bring Pakistan and Bangladesh closer.

In my view, it is a good sign that Bangladesh, with the end of Sheikh Hasina’s dictatorship, is now rediscovering its historical connections with Pakistan. The signing of new agreements signals a renewed spirit of friendship and mutual respect. I believe that the land of Bangladesh, with its centuries-old legacy of harmony, is once again ready to embody tolerance and unity.

Today, it is essential to set aside past grievances and move forward to extend a hand of friendship. Closer ties between the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh will not only serve the interests of both nations but also stand as a model for humanity at large. Let’s demonstrate how followers of different faiths can rise above hatred and work together to build societies founded on peace, tolerance, co-existence and solidarity.

The writer is a member of the National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council.

He tweets/posts @RVankwani