DPM congratulates new FM Dr Khalilur Rehman; both share a vision of regional peace, stability and prosperity
Bangladesh’s new Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman (right) with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (left)
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr Khalilur Rehman discussed strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in various sectors in a telephonic conversation on Sunday.
The rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh follows the ouster of the Awami League government. In August 2025, the two countries signed several agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education and culture, marking an important step in efforts to restore relations after years of strained relations.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 had a telephone conversation with Dr. Khalil ur Rahman, Foreign Minister of #Bangladeshcongratulating him on his recent appointment.
Both leaders expressed their desire to further strengthen bilateral relations,… pic.twitter.com/KDxVl6lZlr
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 22, 2026
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar congratulated his counterpart on his recent appointment, and the two ministers highlighted a shared vision of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
“They also agreed to expand cooperation in various sectors and in multilateral forums, with the aim of building a forward-looking partnership for the people of the two countries,” the statement said.
Last week, the center-right BNP party won a landslide victory in parliament, just 18 months after mass protests led to the dismissal of the country’s longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.
Learn more: BNP says open to fostering “forward-looking relations with Pakistan” after election victory
In the historic general election, the BNP won more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s main religious party, finished second.
After the election victory, Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister alongside newly elected lawmakers, marking a decisive political shift and the country’s first elected government since the deadly 2024 uprising.
Later, Tarique Rahman named a 50-member cabinet and appointed Khalil ur Rahman as foreign minister, who is an experienced diplomat and former UN official, graduated from universities in Dhaka and the United States. He held the security portfolio in the interim government and helped mediate trade negotiations with the United States.
