Call for New Diplomatic Partnerships with South and Southeast Asia

A roundtable dialogue titled "BANGLADESH 2.0: Reimagining Partnerships with South and Southeast Asia" was held on Saturday at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital, organized by the Center for Policy Analysis and Advocacy (CPAA). Speakers at the event emphasized the need for Bangladesh to forge deeper and more strategic diplomatic ties with South and Southeast Asian nations.

Presided over by CPAA President and former government secretary Dr. Md Shariful Alam, the discussion brought together academics, former diplomats, journalists, security analysts, and emerging young leaders.

Distinguished political scientist Professor Dilara Chowdhury stated, “Since independence, Bangladesh has relied on an Indo-centric foreign policy, which now demands reevaluation. It’s time to rethink the 'Look East' policy.” She added, “The last three elections have shown that not only foreign actors but also domestic deep state and bureaucracy pose serious challenges.”

Professor M Shahiduzzaman of the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka said, “Establishing a humanitarian corridor in Myanmar should be integrated into our foreign policy as a means to resolve the Rohingya crisis. The U.S. wants to see Bangladesh as a key partner in implementing the Burma Act, but we must adopt a clear national stance.”

Ambassador Abdul Motaleb Sarkar noted, “South and Southeast Asia account for one-third of the global population. We must harness the potential of this region's markets and blue economy to prepare for a post-LDC Bangladesh.”

Professor Tawfiq M Haque, Director of SIPG at North South University, said, “There is a degree of autonomy in our foreign policy today, but India is not viewing this development favorably. India's domestic use of anti-Muslim narratives poses a threat to regional stability.”

Brigadier General (Retd.) Md Hasan Nasir, President of the Defense and Justice Nexus, commented, “We urgently need political dialogue around BBIN and other corridors. It is essential to restore professionalism in our armed forces and to consider the roles of the UN and China in this context.”
Young thinkers and organizers at the event stressed the need for greater youth engagement in national geopolitics. They advocated for launching new avenues of student exchange and employment with ASEAN countries.

In his closing remarks, CPAA President Dr. Md Shariful Alam said, “As an intellectual platform, we prioritize national interests above all in shaping our action plans.”

The dialogue covered a wide range of critical issues, including recent geopolitical shifts, the Rohingya crisis, corridor politics, blue economy opportunities, the future of foreign policy, and youth participation in diplomacy.