BANGLADESH'S MARITIME INTERESTS AND OPTIONS

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Bangladesh's diverse maritime interests and explores its strategic options for securing them. It examines the economic, strategic, and environmental dimensions of the country's interests in the Bay of Bengal. The study assesses the potential of the maritime sector for Bangladesh's economic development, including shipping, fisheries, and the exploration of offshore energy and mineral resources. The research also analyzes the key security challenges, such as the unresolved maritime boundary disputes with its neighbors, piracy, and the protection of sea lines of communication. The paper argues for the development of a coherent and integrated national maritime policy. The analysis concludes by outlining a set of policy options for Bangladesh to effectively manage its maritime domain, enhance its naval and coast guard capabilities, and pursue a proactive maritime diplomacy.

As a littoral state critically dependent on the sea, Bangladesh's maritime interests are central to its national security and economic prosperity. This paper offers a detailed assessment of these interests and the policy options for advancing them. The analysis is structured around three core areas. First, the economic dimension: the paper explores the vast, yet underexploited, potential of Bangladesh's blue economy. It examines the state of the shipping industry, the challenges of sustainable fisheries management, and the crucial imperative of exploring and developing offshore hydrocarbon resources. Second, the security dimension: the study provides an in-depth analysis of the traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the Bay of Bengal. It discusses the long-standing, unresolved maritime boundary delimitations with India and Myanmar as a major source of strategic uncertainty. It also covers non-traditional threats like piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing that require a robust maritime law enforcement capacity. Third, the diplomatic dimension: the paper argues for a proactive maritime diplomacy. It calls for Bangladesh to take a leading role in regional maritime cooperation initiatives, such as those under SAARC and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. The findings lead to a clear conclusion: Bangladesh needs to move beyond a reactive stance and develop a comprehensive, forward-looking national maritime strategy that integrates economic, security, and diplomatic elements to secure its vital interests at sea.