[🇧🇩] Should we discard our Existing foreign policy and formulate a new one.

[Saif]

You are such a typical Islamists idiot who thinks that the biggest genocide of 3 million people was less and it could have been more.

I think your English is poor. I was emphasizing the point that if Mukti Bahini did not take up arms against the Pakistani army the death toll could have been more.

Who trained Mukti bahini and gave them weapons?

The training was provided to the freedom fighters mostly by the East Bengal Regiment. The Indian army did provide training to Mujib Bahini though. But Mujib Bahini had a different agenda who latter killed so many pro-Peking freedom fighters. Most of the arms of Mukti Bahini came from the stock of East Bengal Regiment. Some were looted from the Pakistani army and some were donated by the Indian army.

Your lungi army on 2025 can not even defeat the rogue Arakan army in 2025 and you claims to defeat Pukjabi army in 1971?

Bangladesh army has no reason to wage a war against Arakan Army. But if Arakan Army breaches our sovereignty they will be given befitting reply. Arakan Army has captured the military bases of the Myanmar army but operating within the limits of Myanmar border so no military response was given by Bangladesh army.

Can you defeat Pakistani army with all your bahinis and BD army put together?

There were only 4 light infantry divisions of Pakistani army deployed in East Pakistan. So our Mukti Bahini did not have to face the full strength of the Pakistani army. Actually they faced only a fraction of the total strength of Pakistani army.

You are presenting Pukjabi army as macho army today and proudly bluff about genociders of Bangladeshis but you forget that 93000 of that macho army had surrendered in front of us in world's biggest ever surrender.

Nowhere in my post did I present Pakistani army as macho. You just manufactured it. Pakistani troops and their family members were included in the 93000 figure that you have posted.

I have never seen people being so proud of their own genociders

Whatever you have said above has been manufactured by your RSS trained brain. It has no truth in it.

 

[Saif]

Dhaka pursued a Bangladesh-centric foreign policy for the past year: Touhid Hossain

BSS Dhaka
Updated: 07 Aug 2025, 17: 02

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain BSS

Bangladesh pursued a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy over the past year, prioritising national interest and reciprocity, maintaining constructive engagement with all major global and regional players, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said.

“As a whole, we believe that over the past year, we have tried to establish a balanced relationship with all countries, keeping Bangladesh’s interests at the forefront . . . how successful we have been will be judged by the people, by civil society,” the adviser told BSS in an exclusive interview recently.

The “balanced diplomacy”, he said, had been central to Bangladesh’s foreign policy success over the past year and continued to guide the interim government’s international strategy.

Hossain said the incumbent administration took a “Bangladesh-centric” approach, grounded in enlightened self-interest and added, “If we give something to India, I will expect that we will be able to get from India what we need, either in equal measure or even more”.

“This (approach) applies not only to India but to all countries,” he added.

Prof. Yunus image in diplomacy

The adviser said Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s international acceptability appeared as “one of the assets of this government” while his reputation often opened doors and influenced outcomes that might otherwise be difficult to achieve through conventional diplomatic channels.

He recalled that one phone call by Dr Yunus had helped secure the pardon of many Bangladeshis in the UAE prisons.

“It happened because Dr Yunus requested it … I consider this a significant asset for us, and we are using that,” Hossain said.

Hossain said that while the previous ousted Awami League regime had close ties with New Delhi, the current interim government is also pursuing to maintain a strong working relationship with India, though certain irritants remain.
He noted that Professor Yunus’ legacy as a Nobel Laureate and his lifelong work in poverty alleviation and social business continued to resonate globally, giving Bangladesh a unique diplomatic advantage.

“The respect he commands is not limited to political circles, it extends across governments, civil society, business leaders, and multilateral platforms,” Hossain said, adding that Bangladesh was using such “soft power” strategically in its foreign policy pursuits.

Relations with India

Hossain said that while the previous ousted Awami League regime had close ties with New Delhi, the current interim government is also pursuing to maintain a strong working relationship with India, though certain irritants remain.

“We have tried to create a certain kind of balance. . . we are trying, and we believe we will be able to build a balanced relationship based on good working relations, reciprocity, and mutual respect,” he said.

The adviser said despite recent challenges in bilateral relations like trade bottlenecks and unresolved land port issues, trade between Bangladesh and India remained ongoing.

Hossain, however, noted a noticeable decline in two specific trends -- cross-border shopping trips and travel to India for tourism and medical purposes.

He said “I don’t consider this a setback for Bangladesh,” as the fall in consumer travel had little impact on the economy.

As far medical tourism is concerned, the adviser said, previously the people used to travel to India for treatment while many of them now preferred alternative destinations like China and Thailand, particularly for specialised services which were yet to be available in Bangladesh.

Nowhere in the world are people shot dead at borders using lethal weapons. India comes up with various excuses at different times, but none of them are acceptable. We have repeatedly told India that this is unacceptable--Touhid Hossain, Foreign adviser.

“In the past, many went to India even for minor treatments, which was unnecessary,” he said.

Hossain added that with reduced travel to India, specialised hospitals in Bangladesh witnessed a rise in patient occupancy, a scenario which he described as a positive development for the country’s healthcare sector.

Stronger protest to border killing, push-in

The adviser said Bangladesh in recent months made louder its voice against the killings of its nationals on borders with India by their Border Security Force (BSF), issuing clear and unequivocal condemnations of such incidents.

He said over the past year, the protest notes sent to New Delhi over the killings were stronger than that of the previous regime, reflecting Dhaka’s firmer diplomatic stance.

Hossain said the government also urged India to prevent the recurrence of such “heinous acts,” and called for thorough investigations into all related incidents and demanded perpetrators to be identified and exposed to justice through appropriate legal measures.

“Nowhere in the world are people shot dead at borders using lethal weapons. India comes up with various excuses at different times, but none of them are acceptable. We have repeatedly told India that this is unacceptable,” he said.

The adviser added that Bangladesh would continue to protest border killing strongly.

Hossain said irregular “push-ins” across the border involving not just Bangladeshis but also Indian Bengali-speaking citizens raised concerns in Dhaka and “even the Chief Minister of West Bengal (of India) has expressed her disappointment over the issue.

Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain speaks to the newspersons at the foreign ministry Prothom Alo file photo

“This proves that the method is not correct,” he said.

Touhid Hossain said Dhaka by now told India that “there is a mechanism in place” for the returning people and “we have been returning individuals following that mechanism”.

“It’s not like we are not doing our part, we are. But this kind of irregular push-in is not appropriate, and we want it to stop. We are also protesting this,” said the adviser.

Normalising relations with Pakistan

Hossain said Dhaka made efforts to normalise relations with Pakistan in the past year.

These efforts, he said, included increased diplomatic communication, economic cooperation, and even the removal of visa requirements for Pakistani citizens.

Some say we are tilting towards Pakistan. . . but we are certainly not tilting; what we are doing is trying to establish a normal relationship with Pakistan that will protect our interests---Touhid Hossain, Foreign adviser.

Hossain, however, dismissed speculations that Bangladesh was shifting its foreign policy stance in favour of Pakistan, asserting that the government’s recent engagements with Islamabad were aimed at normalising diplomatic ties in a way that could safeguard Bangladesh’s national interest.

“Some say we are tilting towards Pakistan. . . but we are certainly not tilting; what we are doing is trying to establish a normal relationship with Pakistan that will protect our interests,” he said.

According to the adviser such diplomatic efforts were part of broader efforts to maintain balanced foreign relations.

He explained that relations with Pakistan had been kept “intentionally on the back burner” during the last regime which was “unnecessary”.

Relations with China

The foreign adviser said bilateral partnership with Beijing remained stable and consistent during the eras of successive governments since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975.

“Many governments were changed in Bangladesh, but our relationship with China has never deteriorated,” he said, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of the bilateral engagement between Dhaka and Beijing.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof paid a courtesy call on foreign adviser Md. Touhid Hossain on 10 September 2024BSS

The foreign adviser dismissed concerns raised in some quarters about Bangladesh growing “too close” to China, stating that Dhaka’s engagement with Beijing was anchored in its national interest.

“Our relationship with China is in our own interests. . . and certainly, China also has its interests,” he said, adding that the cooperation between the two countries was not one-sided, but rather based on mutual benefits and shared priorities.

“We are taking an even-handed approach,” he said, indicating that Bangladesh’s engagement with China did not come at the expense of relations with any other country.

To be continued........................​

 

[Saif]

The US factor

Touhid Hossain said the United States (US) or some other countries like them might discourage Dhaka to deepen ties with China against the backdrop of growing geopolitical polarisation, but Bangladesh was committed to maintain a balanced and non-aligned foreign policy.

We are not really leaning towards China; we are protecting our own interests . . . and at the same time, we have our relations with the US as well.
Touhid Hossain, Foreign adviser

Dhaka remained focused on protecting its own national interests rather than aligning with any particular bloc.

“We are not really leaning towards China; we are protecting our own interests . . . and at the same time, we have our relations with the US as well,” he said.

The foreign adviser acknowledged the evolving global dynamics marked by increased bipolarity, but argued that the lines between blocs were not always rigid or clear.

“The global environment is bipolar -- this bloc and that bloc -- but this is not perfect,” he said.

Hossain, as a career diplomat by background, said even the US continued to maintain advancing ties with Pakistan, despite its strategic relations with India amid the broader context of China’s ties with Islamabad.

This complexity, he suggested, reflects the need for countries like Bangladesh to remain pragmatic and interest-driven in their external engagements.

Foreign Affairs Adviser to the interim government Md Touhid Hossain and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York on 23 September 2024.X/Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also acknowledged ongoing trade-related discussions with the United States, and expressed his optimism regarding the tariff issue with the US.

The adviser said in the past year, Washington saw a regime change when President Donald Trump assumed the presidency defeating his Democratic Party rival Kamala Harris.

“But Dhaka-Washington relations remained as good as it was,” Hossain.

Rohingya repatriation

Touhid Hossain admitted that despite Bangladesh’s continued humanitarian efforts to shelter over a million forcibly displaced Rohingyas for the past eight years the prospect of meaningful repatriation remained a distant possibility.

He, however, cited recent developments at the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit, where Myanmar agreed to verify a group of its nationals.

“This is a complex process, but we are hopeful. Still, unless peace returns to Rakhine, repatriation will not be possible . . . we follow international norms, we cannot forcibly send anyone back,” the adviser said.

Expansion of diplomatic missions

Over the past year, Dhaka had been trying to expand its global diplomatic footprint with the opening of several new missions, including a new High Commission in New Zealand and a consulate in Johor Bahru of Malaysia, in the coming months.

“We will be able to open missions in New Zealand and Johor Bahru within three months as we received the finance approval,” Hossain said, adding he was also planning to open another consulate in Penang to support the large migrant worker community in Malaysia.

He further said the public administration ministry recently gave its nod to open six more embassies and consulates reflecting the interim government’s commitment to strengthen bilateral engagements and ensuring consular services for Bangladeshi nationals abroad.

The adviser said Dhaka, however, attached immediate priorities to open a consulate at China’s Guangzhou and a full-fledged embassy in Ireland.

“We will try to convince the Finance Adviser to approve these immediately,” Touhid said, adding that the remaining missions could be rolled out in a phased manner over the next year depending on budgetary clearance.

Expatriate welfare reforms

Hossain said that one of the key priorities of the current interim government is to ease the suffering of Bangladeshi expatriate workers, especially those residing in the Middle East and Malaysia.

He highlighted various steps being taken to improve consular services, particularly concerning passport issuance. Citing the example of Oman, the adviser said e-passports were now being delivered directly to the applicants’ homes through Oman Post, eliminating the need for a second in-person visit.

“We’re trying to ensure that our expatriates don’t lose work hours. We’ve also instructed our missions to provide shaded waiting areas for service seekers -- Jeddah has already implemented this,” he noted.

Hossain also addressed deeper challenges faced by the migrant workers, including the high cost of migration, which he linked to illegal activities and exploitation.

To address these issues, he said, the foreign ministry proposed to station one more expatriates’ welfare officer and one more passport officer at each of the busiest missions in the Middle East to better serve the large migrant worker community.

Internal reforms in Foreign Ministry

“We are not appointing anyone at the ministry on a contractual basis. Not a single person has been hired that way (in the last one year),” Touhid Hossain said, underlining rationalisation efforts within the ministry.

He acknowledged the challenge of running more than 70 missions with just 400 cadre officers while one-third of them were stationed at headquarters in Dhaka.

“We will not leave any post vacant in the Middle East (considering remittance earning expats benefits). If necessary, we will leave some positions vacant in Europe instead,” he added.

Hossain concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to building constructive, balanced, and pragmatic diplomatic ties that serve Bangladesh’s long-term national interest while maintaining respect and reciprocity with all nations.​

 

[Saif]

Foreign affairs ministry to open regional office in Chattogram

A policy-level decision was taken last month at the highest level of government to open a consular office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chattogram.

en.prothomalo.com

Consular service
Foreign affairs ministry to open regional office in Chattogram
· A policy-level decision was taken last month at the highest level of government to open a consular office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chattogram.

· People from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Feni, and Noakhali regions will be able to access services locally.

Raheed Ejaz Dhaka
Published: 07 Aug 2025, 16: 15

Logo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Once this is operational, expatriate Bangladeshis and their family members living in the region will no longer need to travel to Dhaka to have documents attested. This will save both time and money.

Among South Asian countries, India and Pakistan currently have regional offices of their foreign ministries providing consular services. India’s Ministry of External Affairs operates regional branches in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Guwahati.

Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry has camp offices in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar. These offices not only offer consular services but also coordinate regional diplomatic activities.

Foreign secretary Md Nazrul Islam told Prothom Alo that the ministry is taking steps to establish a regional office in Chattogram. The office will provide consular services to expatriates and general citizens in the greater Chattogram region.

Several senior officials at the ministry of foreign affairs have confirmed that a policy-level decision was taken last month at the highest level of government to open a consular office of the foreign ministry in Chattogram.

Initially, it will begin operations with a few staff members headed by a director. The first phase of preparation to set up the office is underway.

The secretary added that, once the regional office is launched, it will not only provide consular services but also enable diplomatic coordination with the office of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chattogram.

Additionally, it will facilitate the organisation of international visits, delegation coordination, and other necessary diplomatic functions at the regional level, he said.

Officials from the foreign affairs ministry have said that once the office opens, residents of the greater Chattogram division will be able to access consular services directly. At present, they have to travel to Dhaka for document attestation.

Available services will include attestation of educational certificates, marriage and legal documents, birth certificates, and other personal and family documents alongside assistance with passport and visa issues as well as emergency services for expatriates and their families.

With the new regional office in place, people from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Feni, and Noakhali will be able to receive services locally. This will save time and improve the overall quality of service.

Services to be provided

The proposed regional office of the foreign ministry in Chattogram will offer all necessary consular services for citizens working abroad or preparing to go abroad.

These services will include attestation of educational certificates, marriage and legal documents, birth certificates, and other personal and family documents alongside assistance with passport and visa issues as well as emergency services for expatriates and their families.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshis can travel to 6 Asian countries without visa

Bangladeshi passport holders enjoy visa free access to a total of 39 destinations across the world, including six countries in Asia.

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladeshis can travel to 6 Asian countries without visa
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 07 Aug 2025, 17: 03

Bangladesh Passport Representational image

Bangladeshi passport holders enjoy visa free access to a total of 39 destinations across the world, including six countries in Asia, according to the latest edition of UK-based Henley & Partners’ Global Passport Rankings released recently.

Following are the six countries where Bangladeshi citizens require no prior visa for traveling;

Bhutan

Bangladeshi passport holders require no visa to travel to the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan, which is known its serene natural beauty. Its capital city Thimphu, Tiger’s Nest Monastery, riverside fortress Punakha Dzong and glacial Phobjikha Valley are among the top tourist destinations.

The Buddha Dordenma statue overlooks the town of Thimphu, Bhutan, April 16, 2016.Reuters

Maldives

Bangladesh citizens can travel to South Asian island country of Maldives on a free visa on arrival for maximum 30 days. Grand Friday Mosque, Malé Fish Market, and the National Museum are in the capital city Malé are some places to explore.

Known for budget-friendly guesthouses, Maafushi Island can be an affordable alternative to luxury resorts. Anyone visiting Maldives must not be deprived of having some experience in the UNESCO biosphere reserve Baa Atoll’s Hanifaru Bay, which is known for manta ray and whale shark gatherings, usually from May to November.

Maldives is the ultimate holiday resort for the wealthy of the worldReuters

Nepal

Nepal is one of the popular foreign destinations for Bangladesh citizens. The Nepal Embassy in Dhaka said in its website, “Bangladeshi nationals visiting Nepal are eligible for On-Arrival-Visa at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, as well as other designated ports of entry.”

Nepal also introduced Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in place of visa stickers or handwritten visas to all applicants visiting Nepal. Accordingly, the Nepal Embassy in Dhaka has started to issue eTA in place of visa stickers and handwritten visas.

Mount Everest, the world highest peak, and other peaks of the Himalayan range are seen through an aircraft window during a mountain flight from Kathmandu, Nepal 15 January, 2020. Reuters

Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur are some of popular sites in the Kathmandu Valley in the capital city of Kathmandu.

Another place Pokhara is popular for stunning views of the Annapurna mountain range and adventure activities like paragliding, boating on Phewa Lake, cave exploration, and trekking.

Sagarmatha National Park (Everest Region) is home to the world’s highest peak Mount Everest and popular for trekking to Everest Base Camp, Sherpa culture, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is another popular destination of travelling-loving Bangladesh citizens. Bangladesh passport holders can visit the island country by obtaining an Evisa for up to 30 days stay. Visitors can extend their stay for up to three months by paying the relevant extension fee.

Sigiriya (Lion Rock), ancient rock fortress and palace ruins from the 5th century; Yala National Park, most famous wildlife sanctuary of the country; and Galle Fort and Beach, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 16th-century Dutch colonial fort with cobbled streets, old churches, and boutique shops, are among the popular destinations in tiny island country.

Sri Lanka's breathtaking scenery

Cambodia

With a visa on arrival, Bangladeshi passport holder can travel to Southeast Asian country of Cambodia, which has rich ancient history, cultural heritage and natural beauty.

World’s largest religious monument Angkor Wat; Angkor Archaeological Park; Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in capital city Phnom Pen; and Koh Rong Island are among the popular tourist destinations

The head belonging to the Harihara statue is reattached to its body during a ceremony at the Cambodia`s National Museum in Phnom Penh January 21, 2016. Reuters

Timor-Leste

Bangladeshi can visit on a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste (East Timor), which is known as a hidden gem in Southeast Asia for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and rich marine biodiversity.

Cristo Rei of Dili (Christ the King Statue), a 27-meter-tall statue of Jesus Christ overlooking the ocean, in the capital city Dili; Atauro Island, known from pristine beaches, coral reefs, and some of the world’s most biodiverse marine life; and Mount Ramelau (Tatamailau), a 2,986-meter peak and pilgrimage site with a statue of the Virgin Mary at the summit, are among the popular attractions in the country.​

 

[Saif]

Foreign policy on mutual respect far cry

The interim government has neither carried out any reform in the foreign policy of the country nor has it been able to establish its external ties in keeping with the aspirations of the mass uprising in July 2024.

www.newagebd.net

ONE YEAR OF JULY UPRISING
Foreign policy on mutual respect far cry
Mustafizur Rahman 08 August, 2025, 00:03

The interim government has neither carried out any reform in the foreign policy of the country nor has it been able to establish its external ties in keeping with the aspirations of the mass uprising in July 2024.

According to foreign affairs experts and former diplomats, Bangladesh’s relations with India have strained since the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, took over on August 8 while its ties with Pakistan have suddenly marked a positive development.

They suggested that the government needed to maintain working relations with the country’s bordering neighbours India and Myanmar as there were tensions along the borders with them following the political changeover.

The government should have built a political consensus by the time to establish a strong foreign policy based on equality and dignity to protect the country’s interest without depending much on any particular country, experts observed.

Although, they said, the government said that its foreign policy would follow the principle of equality and mutual respect in terms of relations with other countries, its activities have not reflected the aspirations of the July uprising that led to the ouster of the authoritarian regime of Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country on August 5, 2024 and has been sheltered in India since.

‘Signals matter. The government could not yet convey the message of the July uprising to foreign countries properly,’ former ambassador and Bangladesh Enterprise Institute president Humayun Kabir observed.

He told New Age on Thursday that the people’s aspirations for dignity and equality had not been communicated to other countries in a pragmatic way.

Humayun, also former foreign secretary, said that no major reform initiative was taken for the foreign ministry over the past decades, excepting some minor adjustments.

Bangladesh must review its foreign policy on a regular basis to engage with other nations economically and culturally, he said, adding that the government should take preparations in a way that it does not require depending heavily on any single country for exports or imports, commented the senior diplomatic expert.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s relations with India have been going tense following the fall of Sheikh Hasina as Dhaka is still awaiting New Delhi’s response on its request for the return of the deposed prime minister for trial.

For nearly a year since the political changeover in Bangladesh, Indian authorities have continued to push people, including Rohingyas registered in that country, into Bangladesh ignoring its request not to send anyone in this way -- without officially verifying their identifies -- but through a formal channel if any Bangladeshi nationals are found staying there illegally.

Besides, India has slapped restrictions on exports of Bangladeshi readymade garments and its import of raw materials through Indian territory, affecting Bangladesh’s businesses.

Asked for comment, foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain recently said that his government was trying to maintain good relations with other countries.

‘We want good relations with all other [nations]. So we are doing our best to maintain the ties on the basis of mutual respect,’ he said, responding to a question from New Age at the foreign ministry.

As regards to the relation with India, he said that there had always been people-to-people relations between these two neighbouring countries.

‘We always want to keep good relations with all, but don’t like to depend on any particular country heavily for anything,’ said Touhid, also a former diplomat and a retired foreign secretary.

On April 8, India withdrew the transshipment facility that allowed export cargo from Bangladesh to third countries through Indian land customs stations, except Nepal and Bhutan.

Following the withdrawal, on April 15, the National Board of Revenue imposed a ban on the import of yarn and some other products through the country’s land ports from India.

On several occasions, the foreign adviser said that Bangladesh needed to ‘maintain a kind a balance’ in pursuing its foreign relations with big countries like India, China, and the United States of America.

Admitting the strain in the India-Bangladesh relations, he earlier said that Dhaka would like to maintain working relations with New Delhi on the basis of mutual respect by removing ongoing tension between the two neighbours.

In a major development, Bangladesh and Pakistan, meanwhile, held their sixth foreign secretary-level meeting on April 17 in Dhaka after 15 years.

In the meeting, Dhaka once again called for a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities its occupation forces committed during the War of Independence in 1971 and return of Bangladesh’s due share of the Pakistan’s pre-independence assets and foreign aid, besides discussions on further cooperation in trade, connectivity, and other areas.

About the upcoming visit of Pakistan deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh, foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain on August 4 said that Dhaka would raise 1971 issues on the table for discussions as a bilateral meeting between them is scheduled to be held on August 24.

Ishaq Dar is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on August 23 to discuss ways to strengthen coordination with Bangladesh.

Former chair of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies Munshi Faiz Ahmad said that the government’s foreign policy did not reflect the principle of equality and mutual respect.

‘At present the government does not have any such foreign policy, which is based on mutual interest,’ he observed.

Faiz Ahmad, also a former ambassador, said that the government had failed to maintain good relations with India, China, and the USA while people, he commented, would decide on which country they would depend for what they need.

‘The relations between Bangladesh and India have turned worse. We need to maintain working relations with them keeping in view what went wrong with that country during the previous regime,’ he observed.

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’ s visit to China in March, his first bilateral visit to any country, and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing gave a message about Bangladesh’s position in the geopolitical context as they vowed to foster stronger ties and mutual benefits through joint efforts on key issues, according to the experts.

Executive director of non-government think-tank Centre for Governance Studies Parvez Karim Abbasi said that after the July uprising, ordinary people expected that the interim government would take some concrete measures in terms of governance and also to reshape its foreign policy to make the country ‘less subservient’ to any foreign power.

He said that India’s recent restrictions on visas for Bangladeshis had caused sufferings to many in this country, particularly to those seeking advanced medicare there.

Parvez, however, said that India’s continued long support for Sheikh Hasina’s undemocratic regime led to rise in authoritarianism and shirking democratic space in Bangladesh.

Underlining the need for keeping good relations with both China and India, he said, ‘We have to equally and delicately balance these two powers. ‘

Moreover, the issues of proposed ‘humanitarian passage’ to conflict-ridden Rakhine State of Myanmar under an initiative of the United Nations and the establishment of the UN rights office in Bangladesh in the absence of any political government drew widespread criticism.

Dhaka’s signing of Non-Disclosure Agreement with Washington during the recent negotiations over the US reciprocal tariff has also been criticised with the country’s people being in the dark about what Bangladesh had committed to do to bring down the tariff to 20 per cent from 35 and whether the commitments in response to the US proposals were against the country’s interest.

About the necessity of signing the Non-Disclosure Agreement with the USA, Touhid said that he was not willing to comment on the issue as the commerce ministry was leading the talks with the US from the Bangladesh side.​