Pakistan-Bangladesh relations received fresh momentum on Wednesday as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rehman on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila.

The two leaders reviewed the recent progress in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

The meeting took place during the ASEAN Regional Forum, where Pakistan is engaging regional partners through a series of bilateral discussions.

The Foreign Office said both ministers reviewed the positive direction of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and acknowledged the renewed momentum created by Dar’s visit to Bangladesh last year. They agreed to maintain this progress and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Dar and Rehman welcomed growing engagement between the two countries, including stronger people-to-people contacts and improved connectivity following the launch of direct flights earlier this year. They said these developments have helped deepen bilateral relations.

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The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, underscoring their shared interest in closer diplomatic cooperation.

Earlier, Dar arrived in Manila with a high-level delegation to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting. During the visit, he is scheduled to attend the ARF plenary session and hold several bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from participating countries.

Philippine officials, including Assistant Secretary Elmer G. Cato of the Department of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Dar upon his arrival. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Asima Rabbani, and officials from the Pakistani Embassy also received the delegation.

The week-long ASEAN Regional Forum, which continues until July 24, has brought together foreign ministers and senior diplomats from ASEAN member states and major global powers. Participants are discussing regional security, geopolitical tensions, trade, energy security, food supplies, the Myanmar conflict, implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, and the impact of the US-Iran conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are expected to attend the forum later this week and may hold bilateral discussions on the sidelines. Representatives from India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom and the European Union are also participating.

As one of the world’s largest oil-importing regions, Southeast Asia remains vulnerable to disruptions in global energy supplies. ASEAN members continue to accelerate plans for a regional oil-sharing mechanism to strengthen energy security and reduce the impact of future supply shortages.