Diplomatic Correspondent :
Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain made it clear that the country intends to act as a confident, sovereign, and responsible player in regional and global affairs – not a passive corridor shaped by others.
Speaking at the opening session of the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2025, hosted by the Center for Governance Studies at a city hotel on Saturday, he outlined a foreign policy anchored in national interest, stability, and meaningful partnerships.
Hossain said Bangladesh prioritises its sovereignty and its right to secure national interests. What this really means is that partnerships must bring real benefits, not just symbolic gestures.
Countries involved in today’s shifting power geometry, he noted, must engage with both major and middle powers on the basis of national priorities, sovereign equality, and mutual respect.
He stressed that the Bay of Bengal is turning into a strategic hub, and Bangladesh intends to operate with confidence in this evolving landscape.
Drawing attention to the shifting dynamics of power, he said that Bangladesh’s partnerships must yield visible results while keeping its sovereignty intact.
“The Bay of Bengal is becoming a strategic focal point. Bangladesh wants to play a confident role there, not remain a mere corridor,” he said.
He further said, “We will stay engaged, speak firmly when necessary, and remain a productive partner with an eye on national interest and regional stability.”
Addressing global instability, Hossain pointed to conflicts from Ukraine to Gaza and Sudan to Myanmar, arguing that the international crisis-management framework has often fallen short. Bangladesh, he said, understands the cost of fragility all too well.
The country opened its doors to more than a million forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar, contributes to UN peacekeeping missions, and has seen firsthand how quickly humanitarian crises can escalate.
“Stability isn’t just a regional concern; it’s a global necessity,” he said. He called for stronger multilateral and regional institutions that move beyond discussion and deliver tangible action.
The opening session also featured remarks from Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, CGS Chair Zillur Rahman, and Executive Director Parvez Karim Abbasi.
