City Desk:
Upholding “Bangladesh First” policy is essential to cope with complex global order and the approach had been neglected in the past decade and a half, and after forming new government in the coming months the idea should be revived as a cornerstone of future diplomacy said Dr Isharaf Hossain, Chairman of IPGAD.
Dr Isharaf Hossain made this remarks in a discussion titled “Towards a Comprehensive Foreign Policy of Bangladesh” at the city hotel this weak organized by The Institute for Policy, Governance and Development (IPGAD).
The event was moderated by IPGAD Research Director Md Mostafa Hossain, brought together a diverse lineup of political leaders, former diplomats, academics, defense experts, and foreign policy experts.
In his speech, Ambassador Humayun Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), praised the initiative, calling foreign policy “a subject often left unexplored.” He reflected that while the nation’s founding ideals of 1971 were not fully realized, the movement of July 2024 carried their unfinished aspirations forward. Stressing the need for professionalism, he warned against running foreign affairs like any other ministry. He also added that Bangladesh must deepen its understanding of the world’s 192 states and prepare for post–LDC graduation challenges.
BNP Organizing Secretary Shama Obayed linked her party’s foreign policy outlook to the legacy of the late President Ziaur Rahman, who initiated SAARC as a regional mechanism for cooperation. She said Vision 2030 and the 31 Points of Tarique Rahman emphasized justice and equity, values she said were missing in the last 15 years.
Maj Gen (Retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, Chairman of the Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies (FSDS), said the old motto “friendship to all, malice to none” sounds noble but often proves “too utopian.” He called for a shift toward a clear “Bangladesh First” approach. Dr Tasnim Jara, Senior Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said foreign policy must create real change in people’s lives. She emphasized that Bangladesh should take a fact-driven stance and even serve as a safe haven for persecuted journalists and other citizens of foreign countries.
