[🇧🇩] Evolving Strategic Relationship between Bangladesh and France

[Saif]

Eastern Bank honours ‘Brikkhoshokha’ Shakhawat for environmental efforts

Eastern Bank PLC has honoured environmental activist Shakhawat Ullah, popularly known as Brikkhoshokha, in recognition of his contributions to nationwide tree plantation and environmental conservation. Eastern Bank’s managing director and chief executive officer, Ali Reza Iftekhar, presented

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

France urges Bangladesh to consider Airbus proposal seriously

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Mar 16, 2026 20:08
Updated :
Mar 16, 2026 20:08

The French ambassador in Dhaka, Mr Jean-Marc Séré-Char-let, on Monday urged Bangladesh to give serious consideration to a proposal to purchase aircraft from Airbus, saying the European manufacturer produces high-quality planes and could offer a promising avenue for long-term cooperation.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Shama Obaed, Bangladesh’s state minister for foreign affairs, at the foreign ministry, the envoy said discussions with the government covered broader areas of cooperation between France and Bangladesh, including trade, business ties and potential engagement with French companies.

When asked whether defence cooperation and the Airbus purchase had been discussed, the ambassador said the talks had not focused on any single issue but confirmed that the aircraft proposal remained important for France.

“For us, Airbus is an important issue,” he said, adding that the company manufactures high-quality aircraft and should be taken seriously as Bangladesh considers future aviation procurement.

The envoy said Airbus was continuing its discussions with the government and with Biman Bangladesh Airlines regarding the proposal.

“We hope Airbus will be considered by the government and by Biman,” he said.

Asked whether bilateral relations could be affected if Bangladesh ultimately decides not to purchase Airbus aircraft, Mr Char-let said discussions were still ongoing.

“Airbus is still discussing the issue with the government. We are still in discussions and we hope Airbus will be taken seriously,” he said.

Responding to another question on whether the new government should review earlier decisions related to aircraft procurement, including a possible purchase from Boeing, the envoy said the matter rested entirely with the Bangladeshi authorities.

“It is up to the government. Now it depends on Biman. This is a new government and we leave the decision to them,” he said.

The ambassador also emphasised the longstanding ties between the two countries, noting that France was among the earliest nations to recognise Bangladesh after its independence.

“France is a long-standing partner. It was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh,” he said.

He added that the meeting with the state minister was an opportunity to review cooperation and explore ways to strengthen relations.

“We are here to improve the relationship between France and Bangladesh. It was time to meet and discuss cooperation,” he said.

According to the envoy, discussions also touched on ways to expand economic engagement between the two countries, particularly through greater involvement of French businesses in Bangladesh.

He stressed that while governments do not make decisions on behalf of private companies, they can help create a favourable environment for business.

“It is important to attract companies and provide them with a level playing field,” he said.

The ambassador expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations, saying France wanted to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh in the coming years.

“Bangladesh is still in our hearts and we want to cooperate more in the coming months and years,” he said, adding that both sides were interested in creating a new atmosphere of partnership.

Later, talking to the reporters, Shama Obaed said that Bangladesh’s policy is to maintain equal ties with all the countries.

“We will follow the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy”, she said when asked whether the government would review the interim government’s decision to purchase Boeing.​

 

[Saif]

Bastille Day and the quiet rise of Bangladesh–France strategic relations

Every year on July 14, France celebrates its national day—Bastille Day. This day is dedicated to the ideals of freedom, citizenship, and republicanism.

www.thedailystar.net

Bastille Day and the quiet rise of Bangladesh–France strategic relations

Zillur Rahman

French President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Dhaka in September 2023 was the first by a French president to Bangladesh in more than three decades and marked a milestone in bilateral relations. Photo: PID

Every year on July 14, France celebrates its national day—Bastille Day. This day is dedicated to the ideals of freedom, citizenship, and republicanism. For Bangladesh, this date means much more than another opportunity to congratulate a friendly nation. It is a chance to reflect on the strategic partnership that has quietly evolved from mutual friendship into a relationship shaped by a changing geopolitical context.

Relations between France and Bangladesh began immediately after Bangladesh gained independence, but the emotional foundations of these relations had been laid even before the independence movement. France has always been one of the countries where people expressed sympathy for Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom. André Malraux—the renowned French intellectual and former Minister of Cultural Affairs—symbolises these ties.

Throughout decades of diplomatic, cultural, development, and economic engagement, this relationship has been sustained. Today, however, it is no longer only about friendship.

France is not only a European power. It is also an Indo-Pacific power, with territories, citizens, a military presence, and strategic interests in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape, France has sought to establish strategic partnerships with countries that can help it maintain greater stability and strategic balance. Bangladesh, situated at the heart of the Bay of Bengal, fits naturally into this vision.

This is why the relationship has acquired a new significance. Bangladesh is no longer simply a market for exports, a recipient of development assistance, or a source of cheap labour. It is a rapidly developing middle power with a growing economy, a large population, a strategic maritime location, and increasing diplomatic confidence. For France, Bangladesh offers an opportunity to deepen its presence in one of Asia’s most dynamic regions. For Bangladesh, France offers technology, investment, defence cooperation, climate partnership, and an important European voice during an increasingly uncertain period in global politics.

President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Dhaka in September 2023 became a milestone in the development of relations between the two countries. It was the first visit by a French president to Bangladesh in more than three decades. More importantly, it signalled that Paris was prepared to regard Bangladesh as a strategic partner. The jointly emphasised values of peace, prosperity, people-centred connectivity, and strategic autonomy reflected a new phase in the relationship.

There are several areas that now require special attention.

First, there is trade and investment. Bilateral trade has been growing, but it remains heavily imbalanced. It is driven largely by Bangladeshi exports, mainly ready-made garments. This benefits Bangladesh, but at the same time it demonstrates the limitations of the current economic relationship. The next stage should place greater emphasis on diversification. Pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, the leather industry, information technology, renewable energy, logistics, and high-value manufacturing could all become part of a new economic agenda.

French companies are already present in Bangladesh in industries such as cement, energy, logistics, consumer goods, and industrial services. However, French investment remains well below its potential. Bangladesh needs more European investment as it prepares to graduate from LDC status. France can become an important partner in raising standards, facilitating technology transfer, promoting green production, and expanding access to the European market.

Secondly, there is climate and development cooperation. Bangladesh is widely regarded as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. France, as the host of the Paris Agreement and a leading advocate of climate finance, is well placed to become one of Bangladesh’s key partners in this area. France’s development cooperation in urban infrastructure, water management, clean energy, and climate resilience should be expanded. For Bangladesh, climate diplomacy is not merely an important global issue. It is a matter of survival, adaptation, and economic development.

Thirdly, there is technology and aerospace. Bangladesh’s first satellite, Bangabandhu-1, was built by the French company Thales. Discussions on Airbus aircraft and cooperation in the space sector demonstrate that this partnership has the potential to expand into high-technology industries. This is essential because Bangladesh’s future development cannot depend solely on inexpensive labour and traditional exports. It must become part of the global economy of digital infrastructure, aviation, artificial intelligence, satellites, and advanced services.

Fourthly, there is defence and maritime cooperation. Bangladesh’s future development is closely linked to the Bay of Bengal. Maritime security, disaster response, the blue economy, illegal fishing, search and rescue operations, and maritime domain awareness—all these fields are becoming increasingly important. France, with its presence in the Indian Ocean and its naval capabilities, can be a valuable partner in this regard. Of course, Bangladesh does not need to become a member of any military bloc. It simply needs to strengthen its capacities through a range of partnerships.

Perhaps this is the main lesson Bangladesh should draw from this experience. Bangladesh’s relations with France should not be seen as a choice against other countries. Dhaka does not need to choose between France, China, India, Japan, the United States, and Europe. Its interests lie in maintaining a broad range of partnerships. The more diverse Bangladesh’s international relationships are, the greater its strategic autonomy will be.

France is also important because it represents a different diplomatic language. It speaks of sovereignty, strategic autonomy, climate responsibility, and multilateralism. All these principles are highly relevant to Bangladesh’s own foreign policy priorities. At a time when more powers are seeking alignment, Bangladesh needs partners who understand the importance of flexibility.

However, opportunity does not automatically translate into achievement. Bangladesh must approach France with a well-designed agenda. It must identify priority sectors, remove barriers to investment, strengthen institutional coordination, and develop educational and policy dialogue. Symbolic warmth in bilateral relations is valuable, but this partnership now needs structure, continuity, and tangible results.

Bastille Day proves once again that history can change when a nation imagines a different future. Relations between Bangladesh and France are not revolutionary in this sense, but they are entering a period of quiet transformation. What began as a friendship forged in the aftermath of Bangladesh’s Liberation War has evolved into a strategic partnership with significant economic and technological opportunities.

For Bangladesh, the French connection is not only about Paris. It is about Europe, the Indo-Pacific, climate diplomacy, maritime security, and future development. If managed wisely, France can become one of Bangladesh’s most important partners in the coming decade.

In a world of strategic competition and geopolitical realignment, Bangladesh needs partners that broaden its choices. France can be one of them.

Zillur Rahman is a political analyst and President of the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS). He hosts Tritiyo Matra on Channel i and writes on geopolitics, strategic affairs, and governance.​