Relations between Malaysia and Bangladesh were established in the ancient period, even before the Christine era, through maritime activities, Hindu-Buddhist religious propagations, and cultural penetrations. This relationship started to consolidate with the independence of Malaysia from British colonial rule in 1957, when Bangladesh (East Pakistan) was a province of Pakistan, and a new relationship was initiated between these two states after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. From 1972, they engaged in formal diplomatic relations and created bilateral cooperation by setting up missions in Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur from both ends. As a result, many other new engagements were initiated in socio-economic aspects and most importantly, started to create the domain of diaspora under which Bangladeshi workers migrate to Malaysia. This new linkage helped both countries in the progression of infrastructure and economy and created a social domain for Bangladeshi people in Malaysia.
By going through this book, readers will be able to grasp the pictures and features of the ancestral relationships of Malaysia and Bangladesh, the components that built this relationship. It also exposes the development and consolidation of this relationship and cooperation between these two states: what Malaysia expected from Bangladesh after its independence, how Bangladesh helped Malaysia at the beginning of bilateral cooperation, and which support Bangladesh received from Malaysia soon after its commencement as a new free nation-state. The readers will get a snapshot of the inception of societal linkage created by diverse new engagements and agreements penned between two countries, particularly in trade, sports, and culture. Most significantly, the issues of how Bangladesh's manpower to Malaysia has been playing a vital role in the country's economy through sending remittances and their social position at home and abroad will draw the attention and view of the readers. Inlusively, this book provides a synopsis of the relationship between Bangladesh and Malaysia, eliciting relevant data and information from the early period to the recent years.