‘We don’t want to be a chessboard’
Bangladesh does not want to become a “chessboard” for geopolitical competition among other countries and is determined to pursue its international relations on its own terms, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Saturday.
“We do not want to be a chessboard for other players to play on. We want to play on our own terms,” she said while speaking at the fifth Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka.
The event, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), was held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. Shama said Bangladesh was in a position to engage with the international community through dialogue, cooperation and partnership. Bay of Bengal Conversation+1
“We are ready to engage, cooperate and partner with the rest of the world with our heads held high. But we must remember that the most important aspect of our foreign policy is the interest of our people,” she said.
She stressed that Bangladesh would seek to strengthen international partnerships while maintaining its independence in decision-making.
Shama also highlighted energy security and the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates as key challenges amid geopolitical instability. Referring to the Gulf war and its repercussions, she said Bangladesh had faced an unexpected energy crisis as well as risks to the large number of Bangladeshi workers living and working in Gulf countries.
To address the energy challenge, the government was pursuing diversification, exploring new sources of supply and strengthening domestic energy production, she said.
“We are looking at diversification, new sources and new sectors from which we can collect energy,” she said, adding that Bangladesh was also exploring domestic gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) resources.
She said the government was also focusing on solar power and greater energy self-sufficiency.
On the Rohingya crisis, Shama said Bangladesh had been hosting Rohingya refugees for more than a decade, putting considerable pressure on the country’s resources and economy.
She said Bangladesh had maintained its humanitarian responsibilities towards the displaced population but stressed the need for international action to ensure their safe, dignified and orderly repatriation.
“From a humanitarian perspective, Bangladesh has always been extremely cooperative and sensitive on this issue,” she said.
The state minister said Dhaka was continuing discussions with international partners, development partners and other stakeholders to facilitate the return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland.
Her remarks came during the three-day Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026, which focused on shifting global power dynamics, technological transformation, geopolitical competition and the future of international cooperation.
The event was held under the theme “Navigating Power, Technology and Trust in a World Rewritten.” Prime Minister Tarique Rahman delivered the inaugural address. United News Bangladesh
