Bangladesh has urged Pakistan to formally apologize for the 1971 genocide and to resolve a series of longstanding bilateral issues, including the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis and compensation estimated at over $4.5 billion.

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin raised these points during a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Amna Baloch, held in Dhaka on Thursday—the first such diplomatic engagement between the two countries in nearly 15 years.

Speaking to the media following the meeting, Jashim said, “I have raised the unresolved historical issues with Pakistan, including the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, Bangladesh’s rightful share of the undivided state’s assets, the transfer of foreign aid sent after the 1970 cyclone, and a formal apology for the genocide committed by the then Pakistani armed forces in 1971.”

He emphasized that Bangladesh seeks a forward-looking and constructive relationship with Pakistan, but that can only be achieved through honest engagement with the past.

“As a friendly neighbor in South Asia, we want Pakistan’s cooperation in building a strong and welfare-oriented relationship by resolving these historical matters,” he added.

During the meeting, Bangladesh also brought up the matter of compensation. “Based on estimates, one calculation by the former deputy chairman of the Planning Commission puts the figure at $4 billion. Another estimate is $4.32 billion, which we mentioned in today’s discussion,” Jashim said.

He also highlighted that Bangladesh had requested the return of approximately $200 million in foreign aid that was donated to Pakistan following the deadly cyclone in November 1970 but never reached the affected people in what was then East Pakistan.

While Pakistan did not commit to any specific actions during the meeting, Jashim noted that Islamabad had expressed a “willingness” to engage in further dialogue. “This was a regular meeting, although the last one took place in 2010. We don't expect everything to be resolved in this single meeting after nearly 15 years,” he said.

The meeting signals a cautious but potentially significant thaw in bilateral relations as both sides explore a path toward reconciliation and renewed engagement.

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