Scribd
Upload
12 views11 pages

Foreign Policy

Forefinger

Uploaded by

Mst. Jannatul Ferdaus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views11 pages

Foreign Policy

Forefinger

Uploaded by

Mst. Jannatul Ferdaus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy

Course Code: OCN 2209

Rubiat Saimum
Lecturer
Department of Maritime Security and Strategic Studies
BSMRMU
Principles of Foreign Policy
• Three factors behind foreign policy formulation:

➢ Innenpolitik- Primacy of Domestic Factors

➢ Aussenpolitik- Systemic Factors

➢ Integrative approach- A mix of domestic and International Factor


Basis of Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy
• ‘Friendship to all, Malice to none’ has been touted as Bangladesh’s Foreign
policy position

• Article 25 of the constitution defined the basis of Bangladesh’s International


Relations:

➢ Promotion of International Peace and Security

➢ Respect for national sovereignty and non-interference

➢ Disarmament and self-determination

➢ Struggle against colonialism, Imperialism and racialism


Historical Development of Foreign Policy

• Bangladesh’s war of independence set the motion for Bangladesh’s


foreign policy

• Bangladesh had a pro-India foreign policy stance which resulted in


Indira-Mujib Pact of 1972

• Bangladesh pursued a non-aligned foreign policy under Bangabandhu


Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s government, but was closer to Soviet-India
bloc in South Asia
Historical Development of Foreign Policy

• Bangladesh began to warm up its ties with the Muslim world after
attending the 1974 OIC summit

• The Delhi agreement was also signed to guarantee the safe return of
Bangladeshi families in Pakistan

• Bangladesh’s foreign policy began to face a reawakening during the


1974 famine when Bangladesh was forced to ask for food aid from the
US
Historical Development of Foreign Policy

• Bangladesh’s foreign policy was divided into ‘Pro-India’ and ‘Anti-


India’ camps

• With the assassination of Bangabandhu, Bangladesh’s foreign policy


took a detour

• The military regime under General Zia took an ‘anti-Indian’ position by


developing ties with China, the US and the Muslim world, with similar
approach taken by General Ershad after Zia’s assassination in 1981
1990’s onwawrds

• The democratization brought new qualitative changes in Bangladesh


foreign policy

• Bangladesh two major parties maintained a diametrically different


foreign policy

• Bangladesh Nationalist Party base their foreign policy on solidarity with


the Muslim world, closer ties with the West and China
1990’s onwawrds

• The first AL government of 1996-2001 restored Bangladesh’s ties with


India and signed the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty in 1996

• AL also signed peace treaty with Chakma rebels in 1997

• The BNP government took a heavily ‘anti-Indian’ position in its 2001-


2006 tenure, with allegations of supporting India’s ethnic rebels from
the North-East
2009 Onwards
• The caretaker government of 2007-08 and subsequent election brought
the AL government in power

• The AL government took a ‘India-Positive’ stance after 2009 elections

• Bangladesh took actions against anti-India elements residing in


Bangladesh

• Both India and Bangladesh launched a number of collaborative efforts


in connectivity, energy and regional cooperation
2009 Onwards
• Bangladesh established important economic ties with China and other
states

• Balancing posture in 2009-18 decade

• Bangladesh participation in BIMSTEC and de-engagement with


SAARC
Relevant Issue

• Belt and Road Initiative

• Indo-Pacific strategy

• Neutral Foreign Policy

• Developmental foreign policy

You might also like