Bridging historical divides: a neoclassical realist interpretation of civilizational exchange and coexistence in Bangladesh–Pakistan relations

The historical rupture between Bangladesh and Pakistan, rooted in the 1971 Liberation War, continues to shape their political and cultural estrangement. Despite shared religious and civilizational ties, bilateral relations remain constrained by mistrust, selective historical narratives, and regional geopolitics. This study explores how civilizational exchange, through culture, education, and soft diplomacy, can serve as a bridge toward coexistence. Guided by the Neoclassical Realism framework, the research integrates systemic, domestic, and ideational factors to explain how internal perceptions and leadership choices mediate external opportunities for engagement. The study employs a qualitative, interpretive approach, drawing on historical analysis, policy reviews, secondary literature, and in-depth interviews with regional and global experts. Findings suggest that civilizational exchange, rooted in shared Islamic and cultural heritage, holds potential for rebuilding trust through soft diplomacy, academic collaboration, and people-to-people contact. The study concludes that aligning domestic narratives with regional cooperation frameworks can transform historical divisions into sustainable coexistence, offering theoretical implications and analytical insights into post-conflict coexistence in South Asia.