"We want to build all our foreign relationships based on win-win strategy": Bangladesh Parliamentary Panel chief reaffirms ties with India
Dhaka, August 11
Bangladesh remains committed to maintaining a constructive, mutually beneficial baseline in its bilateral ties with India, according to Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking to ANI, Chowdhury emphasised that the newly elected government, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is approaching foreign policy through a "Bangladesh First" lens while prioritising stable engagement with its largest neighbour.
"India is our largest neighbour. For Bangladesh, obviously, we want to have a very good, healthy relationship with our neighbour... When it comes to foreign relationships, we have presented our 'Bangladesh First' approach. And that is very clear--that we want to build all our foreign relationships based on a win-win strategy. And that would be the baseline for our relationship with India."
Acknowledging key areas requiring ongoing diplomatic engagement--such as border management, long-standing water-sharing agreements, and the presence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Delhi, Chowdhury noted that Bangladesh seeks to address these matters through structured, professional channels.
"BNP wants to deal with these matters in a very professional manner, in a respectable manner, maintaining the national dignity of the country... Bangladesh does not believe in any animosity with any of our neighbours, but at the same time, we want to be treated with full dignity, with respect, and based on our due rights, and with acknowledgement of our rights and the win-win relationship."
Chowdhury reiterated that fostering long-term stability and regional cooperation requires joint commitment from both nations to ensure outcomes that directly benefit the citizens of both countries.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's reassuring to see Dhaka emphasizing stability and professionalism. As neighbours, we have shared interests in trade, security, and regional growth. I hope the "Bangladesh First" approach doesn't get politicized by domestic agendas at India's expense. 🙏
Good to hear maturity from the BNP-led government. Border management and Hasina's presence in Delhi are sensitive issues, but dialogue is the only way forward. We also need to address the illegal immigration and border killings—those are real problems for us. 🇮🇳🇧🇩
All diplomatic language is fine, but the real test will be action on the ground. Whether it's trade imbalances or the Rohingya crisis, we need our neighbours to step up. I hope this isn't just another statement for the cameras. 😒
This is the right tone for a relationship that has immense potential. Both countries have much to gain from stability, whether it's energy cooperation, connectivity, or trade. I just hope internal politics in Bangladesh doesn't derail this. Win-win is possible if we keep talking.
Respect and dignity are non-negotiable, but India should also be cautious. The BNP has been historically less friendly to us than the Awami League. For India, handling the Hasina factor diplomatically is crucial—she is still a respected ally. Let's see how this plays out.
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