Following the overthrow of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, Bangladesh is cosying up with Pakistan. On Wednesday, a cargo ship from Karachi docked at Bangladesh's Chittagong Port. It was dubbed the first direct marine link between the two nations by the respective authorities.

The Dhaka Tribune reported that the ship, which had a capacity of about 2,300 TEUs, was transporting a wide range of goods. Direct shipping between the two countries is "a major step forward in enhancing bilateral trade and business ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh besides boosting a more integrated trade network across the region," as claimed by Syed Ahmed Maroof, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh. For both countries, he said, the program will "accelerate the existing trade flows but also promote new opportunities for businesses." The high commissioner for Pakistan also suggested starting direct shipping between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the same time. “The system will help to take forward the eco-social relations of the two countries.” 

The arrival of a Pakistani ship at a Bangladesh port shows a change in the foreign policy of Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. After the fall of Prime Minister Hasina's government, Yunus held several discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. These steps mark a significant shift in Dhaka's relations with Pakistan, a country that was responsible for many atrocities during the 1971 liberation war. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in September, Sharif met with the chief adviser of Bangladesh in New York. Yunus advocated for the South Asian Association of Regional Corporation (SAARC) to be revived at that time.

Yunus pointed out that SAARC could be a good place to start when it comes to enhancing the two countries' bilateral ties. According to the Pakistani premier, Bangladesh and Pakistan should start a "new page" in their relationship in order to improve collaboration across several fields.