Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy: Neither Fear nor Favour — National Interest Must Come First

 

By Advocate Shafiqul Haque:

My position on Bangladesh’s foreign policy is straightforward: neither fear nor favour should guide us. Bangladesh’s national interest must come first.

I do not believe Bangladesh should conduct its foreign policy from the shadow of any other country. Equally, hostility towards another state should not be mistaken for independence. A sovereign country must have the confidence to make its own decisions, based on its own interests.

The central question should therefore be simple: What is best for Bangladesh, and what protects its long-term national interests?

The world is changing rapidly. Competition among major powers is intensifying, while trade, investment, technology, energy and security are becoming increasingly interconnected. In this environment, Bangladesh should not be asking whether it is on the side of India, China, the United States or any other major power.

The question should be:

What is in Bangladesh’s interest?

Bangladesh’s long-standing foreign policy principle—“Friendship to all, malice towards none”—remains highly relevant. But I do not interpret that principle as an obligation to please everyone.

It means maintaining constructive relations with all countries, resolving disagreements through dialogue wherever possible, and making our own decisions when our sovereignty and national interests are at stake.

Where our interests coincide, we should cooperate. Where they differ, we should negotiate. And we should avoid becoming so dependent on any one country that our freedom to make independent decisions is compromised.

That, to me, is the practical meaning of an independent foreign policy.

Bangladesh Should Not Become Part of Other Powers’ Rivalries

Competition among major powers is becoming sharper, with consequences for trade, investment, technology, energy and security.

Bangladesh does not need to choose sides in every international rivalry.

Our question should not be:

Whose side is Bangladesh on?

It should be:

What is on Bangladesh’s side?

India is our most important large neighbour. China is an important economic and development partner. The United States and Europe are major trading markets and sources of investment. Japan has been a long-standing development partner. The Middle East is closely connected to Bangladesh through energy, employment and remittances. Southeast Asia also offers growing opportunities for trade, investment and connectivity.

I do not see these relationships as mutually exclusive.

Bangladesh can maintain close relations with India while expanding economic cooperation with China. It can strengthen access to American and European markets while deepening partnerships with Japan, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

We do not need a foreign policy in which friendship with one country requires sacrificing relations with another.

What we need is a practical, balanced and interest-driven foreign policy—one based on national priorities rather than emotion or political alignment.

India: A Close Neighbour, an Equal Partner

There is no question that India matters greatly to Bangladesh. Our long border, shared rivers, history, culture, trade, connectivity and security concerns have created deep and unavoidable links between the two countries.

Good relations with India are therefore clearly in Bangladesh’s interest.

But good relations must be built on mutual respect and equality.

Bangladesh has legitimate interests concerning water sharing, border management, trade, connectivity, energy and regional security. Raising these issues firmly and consistently is not hostility. It is what a sovereign state should do.

Maintaining close relations with India does not require Bangladesh to surrender its freedom of decision-making. Equally, defending our interests does not mean creating hostility with India.

For me, the principle is simple:

Geography makes cooperation necessary; sovereignty demands equality.

Bangladesh can be India’s friend without becoming anyone’s subordinate.

China: Cooperation, but Decisions Must Be Made in Bangladesh

China is an important economic and development partner of Bangladesh. The two countries cooperate in infrastructure, power, industry, trade and other areas.

Where such cooperation serves Bangladesh’s economic interests, it should continue.

But we should never evaluate a foreign-funded project simply by asking who is offering it.

We must ask harder questions.

Will the project deliver long-term economic benefits? Are the financing terms reasonable? How many jobs will it create? Will technology and expertise be transferred to Bangladesh? Will it strengthen our productive capacity? What will be the future cost of debt servicing, operation and maintenance?

These questions should apply not only to China but to every country and every major project.

We should judge projects by their outcomes, not by their origin.

Bangladesh should not accept a project simply because it is offered by a powerful country. Nor should we reject a project that serves our interests merely because another country might dislike it.

The decision must be made in Bangladesh, according to Bangladesh’s interests.

The United States and Europe: Strengthen Economic Engagement

The United States and Europe are critically important to Bangladesh’s economy. Our exports, particularly the garment sector, as well as investment, technology, education, development cooperation and global supply chains are closely connected with these markets.

I believe Bangladesh should deepen these economic relationships.

But economic cooperation does not require political conformity on every issue.

We can expand trade, attract investment, develop technological partnerships and strengthen educational links while maintaining Bangladesh’s own national and international positions.

There is, however, a broader issue that deserves attention: economic diversification is essential to diplomatic independence.

If Bangladesh becomes excessively dependent on a single export market, energy supplier, lender, investor or technology provider, that dependence can eventually limit our freedom of action.

Economic security and foreign policy are therefore closely connected.

A diversified economy gives a country greater room to manoeuvre diplomatically.

The Bay of Bengal: A Strategic Opportunity for Bangladesh

I see Bangladesh’s position on the Bay of Bengal not merely as a geographical fact, but as one of the country’s greatest long-term opportunities.

The Bay connects South Asia with Southeast Asia and the wider Indian Ocean region. Ports, shipping, fisheries, energy, environmental protection, disaster management and the blue economy all offer significant potential.

Bangladesh should make full use of this strategic position.

There is scope for cooperation with India, China, Japan, the United States and Southeast Asian countries on maritime security, connectivity, trade, environmental protection and disaster response.

But we must also ensure that the Bay of Bengal does not become another arena for rivalry among major powers.

Our objective should be to make the Bay of Bengal a region of trade, connectivity and cooperation—not confrontation.

Myanmar and the Rohingya Crisis

Relations with Myanmar remain one of Bangladesh’s most difficult foreign policy challenges.

By providing refuge to the Rohingya, Bangladesh has carried a significant humanitarian responsibility for many years. But this situation cannot continue indefinitely.

Our objective must be to create conditions in which Rohingya refugees can return to Myanmar safely, voluntarily and with dignity.

This will not be achieved through short-term diplomacy. It requires patience, persistence and a broad international effort.

Bangladesh must maintain communication with Myanmar while also working closely with China, India, ASEAN, the United Nations and other international partners.

We should avoid relying entirely on any single diplomatic channel.

If one door closes, Bangladesh must have other doors open.

That is not weakness. It is sensible diplomacy.

Multilateral Diplomacy Must Be Strengthened

For a country like Bangladesh, multilateral diplomacy is particularly important.

Institutions such as the United Nations provide smaller and medium-sized states with a platform to advance their interests within an international rules-based framework.

Bangladesh should make more effective use of these platforms.

Climate change, migration, food security, development finance, international trade and maritime governance cannot be addressed through bilateral relationships alone.

Bangladesh should also work more closely with other developing countries facing similar challenges.

I believe international influence is not created only by economic or military strength.

Credibility, consistency, diplomatic competence and the ability to build consensus are also forms of national power.

Security Without Conflict

An independent foreign policy requires credible national security capabilities.

Bangladesh must retain the ability to protect its territory, maritime boundaries and national security. But security should not be confused with confrontation.

When purchasing defence equipment, Bangladesh should consider its actual requirements, affordability, quality, training needs, long-term maintenance costs and opportunities for technology transfer.

No foreign government should determine Bangladesh’s defence priorities through political pressure.

At the same time, Bangladesh should continue international cooperation in peacekeeping, disaster response, maritime security, counter-terrorism and combating transnational crime.

A strong security system should support diplomacy—not replace it.

The Foundations of Foreign Policy Begin at Home

There is one reality we must never overlook: a country’s diplomatic independence is ultimately linked to its economic strength.

If Bangladesh becomes excessively dependent on one export market, one energy source, one lender, one technology provider or one major investor, its freedom to make independent decisions can gradually diminish.

That is why export diversification, domestic industry, energy security, technological capability, skilled human resources and sound economic management are not merely domestic economic concerns.

They are also foreign policy priorities.

Economic diversification is not simply an economic strategy. It is a strategy for protecting national independence.

The Foreign Policy I Want to See

I believe Bangladesh’s future foreign policy should rest on a few clear principles:

National interest first. Every major decision should be assessed in terms of its implications for Bangladesh’s sovereignty, security and economy.

Friendship without dependence. Bangladesh should maintain good relations with all countries without becoming excessively dependent on any one of them.

Cooperation without blind alignment. Where interests coincide, we should cooperate; where they do not, we should maintain our own position.

Mutual respect for sovereignty. Bangladesh should respect the sovereignty of others while firmly protecting its own.

Professional and consistent diplomacy. Foreign policy should be guided by knowledge, evidence, diplomatic expertise and long-term national interests rather than short-term political calculations.

Conclusion: I Choose Bangladesh

I do not believe Bangladesh is required to choose between India, China, the United States, Europe, Japan or any other major power.

Bangladesh must choose Bangladesh.

That does not mean turning away from the world. Quite the opposite. It means engaging more deeply with the world—but with confidence, clarity and a clear understanding of our own priorities.

India will remain an important neighbour. China will remain an important economic partner. The United States and Europe will remain important trading and investment partners. Japan, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and other regions will continue to offer opportunities for Bangladesh.

There is no contradiction in maintaining all of these relationships.

Because the most important relationship for Bangladesh is not with any single foreign power.

It is with Bangladesh’s own national interest.

I do not believe Bangladesh should fear any powerful country. Equally, we should never sacrifice our interests simply to win another country’s favour.

Where cooperation benefits Bangladesh, we should say yes.

Where our national interests are threatened, we should be prepared to say no.

And where there is disagreement, we should sit at the negotiating table rather than rush towards confrontation.

“Friendship to all, malice towards none” should therefore be more than a diplomatic slogan. It can be the foundation of a confident, independent and responsible Bangladeshi foreign policy.

Bangladesh must not become an instrument of another country’s geopolitical competition.

We should build an economy strong enough, a diplomatic service capable enough and a nation confident enough to make important decisions without constantly looking over our shoulders for someone else’s approval.

An independent foreign policy does not mean standing against one power in favour of another.

It means having the confidence and capacity to stand for Bangladesh.

Neither fear.
Neither favour.
Neither dependence.

Bangladesh’s foreign policy must be guided by one principle above all others: the national interest of Bangladesh.

Advocate Shafiqul Haque
Former Solicitor, Senior Courts of England
Former Mayor, Tower Hamlets Council, UK
Author, Political Analyst and Essayist