India, Jan. 31 -- In what can be seen as a shift in the South Asian geopolitical landscape, Bangladesh and Pakistan have officially resumed direct air connectivity after a 14-year hiatus, marking a major thaw in a relationship that was frosty over the past few years and violently antagonistic for decades in general.

The resumption of passenger flights comes coupled with high-level talks regarding a potential multi-million defence deal.

It must be noted that the rapid rapprochement between Dhaka and Islamabad follows the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, considered pro-India, in August 2024 after protests led by students. Hasina, sentenced to death by a court in Bangladesh since, is in exile in India, while an interim regime led ...