BD to pursue ties based on national interest

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Saturday that Bangladesh would determine its strategic relationships with major powers such as China, India, Russia and the United States solely on the basis of national interest, mutual benefit and the welfare of its people.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion titled “Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy in a Changing World Order”, organised by the Bangladesh Research Analysis and Information Network (BRAIN) at the Prothom Alo office in Dhaka, the state minister said the country’s foreign policy would be guided by pragmatic considerations rather than alignment with any particular bloc.

“Strategic relations with every country will be determined by what we gain mutually and what benefits the people of Bangladesh receive,” she said. “Our decisions will be based entirely on those considerations.”

Referring to the foreign policy legacy of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Shama Obaed said the government was implementing a “Bangladesh First” policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

She said Bangladesh was pursuing a policy of “strategic balance”, avoiding blind support for or opposition to any country while prioritising national interests.

The state minister noted that the government was strengthening trade and investment ties with major global powers, including China, India, the United States and Russia, on the basis of mutual benefit.

She also highlighted a new emphasis on the use of culture, sports and the creative economy as instruments of foreign policy, describing them as important elements of the country’s “soft power”.
To support this approach, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established three new divisions focusing on sports and culture, migration, and climate resilience, she said.

Addressing global geopolitical uncertainties, including the impact of conflicts in the Middle East, Shama Obaed said the government was taking steps to diversify both energy sources and overseas labour markets to reduce dependence on any single destination.

On relations with neighbouring India, she said Bangladesh remained committed to resolving differences through dialogue and engagement.

“Maintaining effective diplomatic engagement with India is essential to addressing issues such as border killings, the trade imbalance and water-sharing concerns,” she said.

At the discussion, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Economy and Planning, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, said Bangladesh remained committed to multilateralism in an increasingly complex global environment.

“We believe in multilateralism, which is why we seek membership in organisations such as BRICS, ASEAN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership,” he said.

“Our objective is to strengthen weakened multilateral institutions and ensure they serve the interests of the people.”

The roundtable, moderated by academic and researcher Asif Bin Ali, was attended by policymakers, diplomats and academics, including Mir Ahmad Bin Qasem (Arman), former Bangladesh ambassador to China Mahbub Uz Zaman, Export Promotion Bureau Vice-Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif, and Dhaka University professors Amena Mohsin, Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan and Obaidul Haque.

Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities facing Bangladesh’s foreign policy amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and growing competition among global powers.