Bangladesh will not be a 'football' between India and China, according to Humaiun Kobir, foreign affairs adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Speaking at a roundtable discussion on Saturday, Kobir stressed a 'Bangladesh first policy' while maintaining ties with major global powers, including India, China, and the United States.
Balancing Bilateral Relations
His remarks come as Dhaka seeks to balance bilateral relations with several nations, especially those in its neighborhood, through cooperation in infrastructure, trade, energy, and other areas. 'We can act as a referee from time to time to ensure fair play, but we will not become a football,' Kobir said, hinting at Dhaka's intentions to play a bigger role in the region when asked about ties with China and India.
Kobir emphasized that Bangladesh would maintain balanced ties with both nations while firmly safeguarding its own interests, describing China as an 'important development partner' for Bangladesh.
Strategic Policy Choice
Humaiun Kobir emphasized that Dhaka would continue pursuing 'balanced global engagement' as a strategic policy choice. 'Balance is not a weakness. Balance is a strategy,' he said. The BNP-led government would pursue a 'Bangladesh first' foreign doctrine grounded in pragmatism, strategic balance, and national interest.
Responding to questions from diplomats, academics, and policy experts, Kobir said the government would avoid over-reliance on any single country and instead adopt a 'flexible and multidimensional' diplomatic strategy.
Revisiting Traditional Foreign Policy
Kobir also questioned the relevance of the traditional foreign policy slogan 'friendship to all, malice towards none,' arguing that today's volatile geopolitical environment requires a more strategic and realistic approach. The new doctrine does not imply isolationism but rather prioritizes Bangladesh's sovereignty, development, and national interests, he said.
Democratic Legitimacy
He further argued that the new government's democratic legitimacy strengthens Bangladesh's position on the global stage. 'We are a legitimately elected government with the mandate of the people. That gives us a position of strength in negotiations,' he said.
Regional Cooperation
On South Asian diplomacy, Kobir said the government wants to revive regional cooperation frameworks, including SAARC and BIMSTEC, believing stronger engagement would amplify Bangladesh's voice.
