‘Bangladesh First’ to guide foreign policy
Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Saturday said the BNP-led government would pursue a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy grounded in pragmatism, balance and national interest, while maintaining constructive relations with all major global powers, including India, China and the United States.
“We will not be a football between China and India. We can be a referee now and then to ensure fair play, but we will not become a football,” he said while addressing a programme in the capital.
The event, titled Bangladesh First: A Foreign Policy Outlook for a New Bangladesh, was organised by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies at a city hotel and attended by diplomats, academics, business leaders and members of civil society.
Responding to questions from participants, Kobir said the government would avoid overdependence on any single country and instead adopt a “flexible and multifaceted” diplomatic approach.
“We will maintain balanced relations with everyone – whether Washington, Beijing or Delhi,” he added.
Describing China as an important development partner for Bangladesh, the adviser said his recent visit to Beijing had been “very positive”.
Kobir said the new government’s democratic legitimacy had strengthened the country’s position internationally.
“We are a legitimately elected government with the mandate of the people. That gives us a position of strength in negotiations,” he said.
He also stressed that Bangladesh was keen to engage with the international community on the basis of mutual respect, balance and national interest.
“Based on the Bangladesh First policy, the government will pursue a foreign policy that is multidimensional, flexible and not centred on any single country,” he said.
Highlighting shifts in the global order, Kobir observed that the era of dominance by a single power was gradually drawing to a close, with new geopolitical and economic realities emerging.
In this context, he said Bangladesh would maintain constructive ties with all countries while preserving its strategic autonomy and sovereignty.
Economic diplomacy, he said, would remain a central pillar of the government’s foreign policy agenda, with priorities including the expansion of export markets, diversification of foreign investment, energy security, and enhanced regional trade and connectivity.
Kobir also said the government aimed to position Bangladesh as an economic bridge linking South Asia, Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
On the Indo-Pacific, he said Bangladesh supported an inclusive, open and cooperative regional framework.
“Bangladesh will not take sides, but will actively participate in initiatives related to trade, connectivity, maritime security and sustainable development,” he said.
Referring to climate change, the adviser said Bangladesh, as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate impacts, intended to play a leading role in global climate diplomacy by advocating climate justice and equitable financing.
He further said the country’s international standing depended on internal governance, democracy and the rule of law, adding that the government remained committed to accountability and democratic governance.
“Bangladesh will never return to the dark era of authoritarianism and misrule.
We want to build a Bangladesh that is sovereign, economically strong and globally respected,” he said.
The programme was chaired by ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies.
Diplomats, academics, business representatives and members of civil society were also present.
