Dr Khalilur Rahman and Shama Obaed Islam assumed offices of FM and state minister for foreign affairs
Newly appointed Bangladesh FM Dr Khalilur Rahman (right) with Pakistan’s FM Ishaq Dar (left)
Bangladesh’s newly appointed federal and state ministers for foreign affairs have thanked Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for his ‘warm felicitations’ on their assumption of office and expressed their desire to deepen ties between the two countries.
In a tweet on X, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Bangladesh attaches high importance to its brotherly relationship with Pakistan and looks forward to working together for further deepening ties based on mutual respect, understanding, and shared interests.”
The newly appointed FM n State Minister of foreign affairs of 🇧🇩 appreciate the warm felicitations of DPM & FM of 🇵🇰 @MIshaqDar50 .#Bangladesh attaches high importance to its brotherly relationship with #Pakistan and looks forward to working together for further deepening ties… pic.twitter.com/i8H9HsSwrm
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) February 18, 2026
FM Dar earlier congratulated newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on assuming charge of their offices.
Congratulating the Bangladesh FM, Dar wrote, “I am confident that his vast diplomatic experience and commitment to regional peace, stability and connectivity will greatly benefit the people of Bangladesh, the region, and beyond.”
Heartiest congratulations to
Dr Khalilur Rahman on his appointment as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.I am confident that his vast diplomatic experience and commitment to regional peace, stability and connectivity will greatly benefit the people of Bangladesh, the region,…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) February 18, 2026
Dar reaffirmed to further deepen the brotherly ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, and to advance mutually beneficial bilateral & multilateral cooperation.
“I look forward to working closely with her to further strengthen Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and to advancing regional peace, stability, and mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of shared interest,” Dar said while felicitating the Bangladesh state minister.
Heartiest felicitations to Shama Obaed Islam on assuming the office of State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.
I look forward to working closely with her to further strengthen Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and to advancing regional peace, stability, and mutually…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) February 18, 2026
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman named a former commerce minister to steer the country’s troubled economy and kept the defence portfolio for himself as he formed his first cabinet.
The 50-member cabinet announced in a gazette notification issued late on Tuesday included Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, 76, a businessman and veteran lawmaker who has now returned to the finance ministry.
Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Tuesday, along with newly elected lawmakers. Rahman succeeds an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which governed the country for 18 months after the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in 2024.
Pakistan’s leadership has readily engaged the incoming leadership, both in the lead-up to and after the polls. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also met Rahman for a meeting.
The ouster of the Awami League government led to the rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
They signed several agreements in August 2025 aimed at enhancing cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education, and cultural exchanges, marking a significant step forward in efforts to reset relations after years of frosty ties.