Published: 12:01 AM, 06 October 2026 Last Update: 12:00 AM, 06 October 2026
How Fit Is Bangladesh to Avoid Conventionality in Its Foreign Policy?
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed
Information is a fundamental strategic resource in the formulation and implementation of a state’s foreign policy. Information serves as a crucial strategic resource in shaping a state's foreign policy. Given the dynamic nature of international politics, effective decision-making hinges on accurate knowledge of other states' political stances, economic situations, military strengths, diplomatic goals, public opinion, and regional contexts. Timely and reliable information underpins sound policy-making, but simply having a wealth of data is inadequate. It must be accurate, relevant, timely, verifiable, and thoroughly analyzed. Raw data transforms into actionable insights only through context-driven analysis. In crisis situations—such as conflicts, natural disasters, or political turmoil—swift access to accurate information is vital to avoid delayed decisions. However, balancing speed with accuracy is crucial; rapid information flow can lead to misunderstandings if not handled carefully. The digital age has amplified information dissemination, affecting not just internal government decision-making but also shaping international perceptions. Effective communication of policies and cultural narratives internationally can enhance a state's image, while robust informational systems are essential to combat misinformation and maintain credibility. Social media and digital diplomacy now enable states to communicate their messages rapidly to international audiences. At the same time, a strong information system is also necessary to counter misinformation and disinformation.
India is our neighbor. But India is such a neighbor as strongly opposes our efforts to stand high in the world as a truly independent, sovereign and strong state. This is because India believes that if Bangladesh stands high as a truly independent, sovereign and strong state, the security and territorial integrity of its Seven Sisters will be threatened. For this reason, it always wants to keep Bangladesh subservient to it and turn Bangladesh into a field for exploitation in every possible way. Today, it is essential for Bangladesh to confront the hostility of such a conspiratorial and hostile state as India is opposed to Bangladesh. Even before Bangladesh took initiatives to develop deep commercial and defense relations with China, the United States had publicly stated that Bangladesh should not become overly dependent on China in the commercial and defense sectors. All governments of Bangladesh have wanted to maintain good relations with India. But to Delhi, friendly India-Bangladesh relations mean accepting India as the master; bowing one’s head and continuously fulfilling all its interests and demands without question and without reciprocal benefit—as was done by the previous fascist government.
According to diplomatic circles, Bangladesh will have an opportunity to use the 81st session as a tool for new national branding and for expanding its economic prospects. Bangladesh will have a major opportunity before world leaders to present a positive image not merely as a country of disasters or a country facing a migrant crisis, but as a country of investment, business, reform and emerging economic possibilities. The main theme of the 81st session is—restoring trust and revitalizing global solidarity. Through this opportunity, Bangladesh can strongly raise demands for securing loss-and-damage funds for countries vulnerable to climate change and for financing to protect the interests of developing countries. Bangladesh will play a leading role in increasing the rights and representation of the countries of the Global South. Bangladesh has consistently been one of the leading contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Dr. Khalilur Rahman, in his vision as President of the General Assembly, has pledged to work for the protection of civilians, the resolution of global humanitarian crises including Gaza, and mediation for peacekeeping. This will further enhance Bangladesh’s prestige in maintaining world peace. Heads of state and government from around the world will participate in the high-level general debate beginning on September 22. At this historic session, Bangladesh will face the major challenge of maintaining a balance among competing global powers, while at the same time gaining a unique opportunity to firmly establish its national interests on the world stage.
Bangladesh’s interest in joining the Mecca alliance should likewise be guided by strategic objectives and clearly defined national interests. The key question is what Bangladesh can offer that would be valuable to the three founding members—Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia—and, in return, what tangible benefits Bangladesh could secure, particularly in the realm of hard security. Bangladesh possesses several assets that could be of strategic value to these countries, including experienced and professionally trained military personnel, its important geographical position, and a potentially significant market for defense-related industries. In return, Bangladesh should seek appropriate and commensurate benefits for its contributions, including cooperation in air defense, stronger deterrence guarantees, intelligence sharing, joint defense production, assistance in developing sustainable retaliatory capabilities, easier access to drones and other defense equipment, and improved employment conditions for Bangladeshi workers, who are among the country’s major sources of remittance earnings. Such an arrangement could enable Bangladesh to convert its existing resources and strategic advantages into capabilities that it currently lacks. The present stage of the alliance’s expansion may provide an appropriate opportunity to negotiate these reciprocal benefits, as the emerging framework is likely to favor members that can share responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the collective burden rather than merely depend on others. Therefore, Bangladesh’s participation in the “Mecca Pact” could potentially establish a mutually beneficial framework in which both Bangladesh and the existing members gain strategically and economically.
For Bangladesh, relations with China are primarily about enhancing its role in regional and international geopolitics, focusing on national interests, economic development, and sovereignty. A strategically confident country diversifies its partnerships, which is vital for Bangladesh as it navigates its relationship with China through a lens of infrastructure development, technology transfer, and trade expansion. Elevating this partnership is not just diplomatic courtesy but a crucial strategic choice for Bangladesh’s economic future and geopolitical standing. Strengthening ties with China is essential for consolidating Bangladesh's position on the global stage, especially as South Asia and the Indo-Pacific regions emerge as centers of economic activity. By leveraging potential overland connections via Myanmar, expanding regional trade, attracting industrial investment, and developing port-based economies, Bangladesh can transform its geographical position into an economic asset. This strategy can enable Bangladesh to evolve from a consumer market to a regional hub for production and trade, while simultaneously enhancing its strategic autonomy against unilateral dominance from neighboring countries.
For a developing country like Bangladesh, maintaining a strong and effective flow of information is especially important. The country’s foreign policy involves interconnected issues, including relations with neighboring states, the Bay of Bengal, climate change, trade, migration, the Rohingya crisis, energy security and regional connectivity. If timely and reliable information on international developments in these areas is systematically collected, analyzed and provided to policymakers, Bangladesh can articulate and safeguard its national interests more effectively. Its embassies and diplomatic missions abroad should therefore function not only as channels of formal communication but also as active centers for information gathering, analysis and economic-diplomatic research. A strong information system is fundamental to diplomatic capacity, sound decision-making and the protection of national interests. Accurate information enables policymakers to assess realities, timely information supports effective crisis management. Again analytical information strengthens negotiations and long-term strategic planning. However, the quality, reliability, timeliness and analytical value of information matter more than its volume. Unverified or excessive information can create confusion and weaken decisions. Therefore, modern foreign policy requires an integrated system connecting information collection, verification, analysis, policy-making, implementation and evaluation. Such research-based and information-driven capacity would help Bangladesh protect its interests and pursue a more effective and dignified foreign policy.
Honesty, transparency, neutrality, the rule of law and an uncompromising position on the question of national interest are the greatest political capital of a government. If the present government genuinely wants to learn from the failures of the past, then instead of self-praise or avoiding uncomfortable questions, it must accept criticism and demonstrate the courage to correct mistakes. Because the greatest strength and source of power is not the security forces—it is the trust of the people. And the hardest truth of history is that no power is permanent and no ruler is above the judgment of the people. Finally, we can say that our foreign policy must be independent and balanced. A new Bangladesh must be sought through the character and direction of its foreign policy on the world stage. In this context, we must pay attention to the multidimensional possibilities of Bangladesh-China relations. In addition, our national interests must be given priority regarding the expansion of the Mecca Agreement and Bangladesh’s role in it. Bangladesh must also develop the capacity to avoid conventionality in its foreign policy. There is no alternative to an effective flow of information for a strong and balanced foreign policy. However, Bangladesh’s interests will be the core theme of our foreign policy.
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed is former
Deputy Director General, Bangladesh
Ansar and VDP and Rotary Learning
Facilitator, Rotary Club, Dhaka Elite.
