Outlook Business Desk
Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed foreign secretary-level talks in Dhaka, marking the first official diplomatic meeting between the two nations since 2008.
In 1971, Pakistan’s army carried out mass killings and violence in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. After 15 years of no talks, Dhaka demands $4.3bn in reparations and a formal apology during renewed diplomatic discussions.
To help East Pakistan in its fight for independence, India launched a military intervention against Pakistan in December 1971, which led to its defeat and the emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation.
Around 30 lakh people were killed, and over two lakh women faced sexual violence during the war. Bangladesh maintains that justice for these atrocities was never delivered.
In 1970, the Bhola Cyclone killed thousands in East Pakistan. Pakistan’s slow response worsened public anger, adding to the push for independence.
Pakistan has not directly addressed Bangladesh's demand for an apology and compensation, often citing the 1974 tripartite agreement as having settled past disputes from the 1971 war.
“It was a big step that we officially raised the issue after a long time,” said Jashim Uddin, Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary, referring to the 1971 war atrocities.
The agreement signed by India, Pakistan and Bangladesh included Pakistan’s release of over 90,000 prisoners of war and diplomatic normalization, but didn’t address individual accountability.