Equilibrium of Bangladesh-Pakistan Relations Under the Yunus Interim Government: A Study of Social Constructivism in the Context of State-Level Cooperation
(Aditya Sengupta)
Abstract
Before 1971, Bangladesh and Pakistan existed under one sovereign umbrella. Despite their division, both nations share similar state-level beliefs, values, and, in particular, different aspects of Islamic culture. Recently, many contemporary religious leaders have begun to vocalize their perspectives on Islamic values and the cultural dynamics of the state, discussing how India played a role in their separation. As a result, tensions have started to rise, with communal sentiments emerging that articulate a view of Bangladesh as aligned with the ideological beliefs reflected in the Constitution of Bangladesh, which draws parallels to Pakistan, asserting, "that is why India will always be our enemy." The Yusuf government is on the way to draw a roadmap for state-level cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Numerous Islamic scholars are actively participating in conferences and arranging religious meetings in both Dhaka and Karachi to foster cross-border constructive brotherhood. Through this article, I aim to explore the potential for further cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan and examine how far this engagement could progress regarding state-level collaboration and the promotion of political relationships during the post-Hasina era.
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