Dhaka holds line on Ganges water
Bangladesh will seek to protect its national interest and security as it negotiates with India over the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, with the existing agreement set to expire in December, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Monday.
He said Dhaka would remain guided by what best serves Bangladesh’s interests, including in deciding whether to seek a guarantee clause or pursue renewal or replacement of the existing treaty.
“Whatever is best for Bangladesh’s national interest and security, we will work to ensure that,” Humaiun told journalists after attending the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 in Dhaka.
Asked specifically about a possible guarantee clause and the future shape of the treaty, he reiterated: “Whatever is best for Bangladesh’s interest will be done.”
The state minister said official-level discussions between Bangladesh and India were continuing, but cautioned against expecting an immediate breakthrough or setting a deadline for an outcome.
“Dialogues are taking place. But this cannot happen overnight with a fixed date set suddenly, you understand?” he said.
On the possibility of high-level talks, Humaiun said such discussions would take place during a visit, while stressing that a conducive environment first needed to be created through ongoing official-level engagement.
“A top-level dialogue will happen when a visit takes place. Otherwise, a conducive environment must first be created through official-level dialogues,” he said.
Asked about reports that Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman could visit New Delhi in November following an invitation from India’s External Affairs Minister, Humaiun did not confirm a specific date but said such a visit was possible.
He also urged journalists to seek confirmation of Bangladesh’s diplomatic engagements from Dhaka rather than relying on reports originating elsewhere.
“If you get news about Bangladesh from Delhi, how would that work? You have to get news about Bangladesh from Bangladesh,” he said.
Earlier, addressing the Bay of Bengal Conversation, Humaiun outlined a foreign-policy approach centred on national interest, strategic autonomy and mutually beneficial partnerships.
“Bangladesh’s foreign policy must serve Bangladesh’s national interests,” he said, stressing the need to protect the country’s security while expanding economic opportunities.
“We want strong partnerships, but we also want strategic autonomy. We want cooperation, but we do not want dependency,” he said.
Against the backdrop of growing competition among major powers, he said Bangladesh would not align itself with competing camps.
“Our policy is not to choose sides; our policy is to choose what is best for the national interest of Bangladesh,” he said.
“Where interests converge, we will cooperate. Where opportunities exist, we will engage. Where differences arise, we will manage them through dialogue and diplomacy,” he added.
Humaiun also highlighted the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal, saying Bangladesh wanted the region to remain a zone of peace, stability and cooperation rather than confrontation.
He said foreign and economic policies could no longer be considered separately, as markets, supply chains, energy, technology and investment had become integral to national security.
“Our diplomacy must therefore become more economically focused. Our missions abroad must open markets, attract investment, promote Bangladeshi products, and create opportunities for our people,” he said.
He also called for stronger South Asian cooperation in areas including connectivity, trade and energy.
Turning to the Rohingya crisis, Humaiun described it as both a national security and foreign-policy priority for Bangladesh.
“Humanitarian assistance cannot be the permanent answer to this crisis,” he said, stressing the need for a political and security solution.
“The Rohingya crisis remains the top national security priority for Bangladesh. The Rohingya crisis remains a top foreign policy priority for Bangladesh,” he said.
Bangladesh will seek to raise the issue internationally during its presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, he said.
“The ultimate objective must be the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return of the Rohingya people,” Humaiun said.
Summing up his foreign-policy vision, he said: “National interest must guide us. Strategic autonomy must strengthen us. Partnership must expand our opportunities. And peace must remain our ultimate objective.”
“The future will not wait for us. We must shape it, and we must ensure that Bangladesh has a meaningful voice in that future,” he added.
