Dhaka will be a 'confident actor, not a passive corridor': Foreign adviser
“Bangladesh insists on its sovereignty and the right to pursue its national interest… The Bay of Bengal region is becoming a strategic fulcrum, and Bangladesh intends to be a confident actor, not a passive corridor,” he said
Bangladesh will chart its own course amid global realignments and intensifying geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific and Bay of Bengal region, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said today (22 November) at the inaugural session of the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2025.
Opening his address with a strong message of national agency, he said, "Bangladesh insists on its sovereignty and the right to pursue its national interest… The Bay of Bengal region is becoming a strategic fulcrum, and Bangladesh intends to be a confident actor, not a passive corridor."
The annual conference, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), brought together senior judges, diplomats, security analysts, and researchers in Dhaka. This year's theme, "Rivals, Ruptures, Realignments: Navigating Power and Purpose in a Disordered World", framed a speech that combined geopolitical analysis with clear policy positions.
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Democratic space and foreign policy direction
Reflecting on recent political shifts, the Adviser commended CGS for sustaining debate and public dialogue even during times of 'restricted civic space.' He said such resilience aligns with Bangladesh's commitment to democratic values and transparent governance, which continue to inform its foreign policy conduct.
Key foreign policy priorities
The Adviser outlined five major themes defining Bangladesh's approach to emerging global challenges:
Geopolitical realignment and strategic autonomy
The Adviser said Bangladesh will work with both major and middle powers based on sovereign equality and mutual respect. Partnerships, he said, must deliver "tangible benefits, not symbolic only."
Calling the Bay of Bengal an emerging strategic centre of gravity, he said Bangladesh intends to shape regional outcomes rather than be shaped by them.
Fragmentation of global stability
Citing conflicts from Ukraine to Gaza, Sudan to Myanmar, the Adviser said global crisis-management mechanisms "have been tested, and often found wanting."
He said Bangladesh directly experiences the impact of instability through hosting hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas and its longstanding role in UN peacekeeping.
He called for stronger regional and multilateral institutions that "deliver, not just talk."
Weaponisation of information and technology
Addressing rapid changes in the information domain, he highlighted AI, deepfakes, disinformation, and surveillance as new fronts of geopolitical rivalry.
"Information is no longer a by-product of power; it is a tool of power," he said.
Bangladesh aims to protect its information space while supporting regulations that safeguard both security and citizens' rights, he added.
Economic realignment and regional connectivity
With global supply chains shifting and sanctions reshaping trade flows, Bangladesh must diversify and deepen regional cooperation, he said.
He said, Economic partnerships should not become 'predatory' but must ensure shared resilience and opportunity.
He also urged transforming the Bay of Bengal into a 'corridor of growth and prosperity.'
Climate, borders, and security
Describing Bangladesh as one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, he pointed to rising seas, salinity intrusion, and climate-induced displacement as pressing challenges.
He called for regional collaboration on technology exchange, environmental security, and climate diplomacy, saying countries must strive to lead rather than merely respond to climate shocks.
Balanced engagement, not bloc politics
Concluding his remarks, the Foreign Adviser warned against falling into polarised geopolitical blocs.
"In moments of realignment, states are tempted to pick sides, but we should first pick the right course," he said.
He said Bangladesh will remain "an active, sovereign, and responsible player" engaging confidently, speaking firmly when needed, and collaborating to advance national interest and regional stability.
The Bay of Bengal Conversation 2025 will continue over the weekend with discussions on maritime security, regional trade, climate diplomacy, digital governance, and great-power competition across the Bay of Bengal and the broader Indo-Pacific.
