FOREIGN POLICY MAKING IN BANGLADESH: INSTITUTIONS AND PROCESSES

This comprehensive study examines the institutions and processes involved in foreign policy making in Bangladesh during the mid-1980s, analyzing how diplomatic strategies are formulated and implemented. The article explores the constitutional framework, institutional architecture, and decision-making procedures that shape Bangladeshs approach to international relations. The research investigates the roles of key institutions including the Presidency, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Parliament, and military establishment in foreign policy formulation. The study examines the influence of domestic political factors, economic considerations, and geopolitical constraints on foreign policy choices. The article analyzes specific case studies of foreign policy decisions to illustrate the interplay of different institutions and processes. The research also assesses the evolution of foreign policy making since independence and identifies emerging trends and challenges in the mid-1980s context.

Foreign policy making represents a crucial dimension of statecraft in Bangladesh, with this article providing a comprehensive examination of the institutions and processes involved during the mid-1980s. The research begins by examining the constitutional framework for foreign policy, analyzing how different political systems—parliamentary and presidential—have shaped the institutional balance in external relations. The analysis explores the roles of key foreign policy institutions, including the executive branch where the President and Prime Minister exercise significant authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the professional diplomatic corps, and parliamentary committees that provide oversight and input. The article investigates the influence of domestic political factors, including party politics, interest group pressures, and public opinion, on foreign policy formulation and implementation. The study examines the role of economic considerations in foreign policy, analyzing how trade relationships, development assistance, and economic partnerships influence diplomatic strategies and priorities. The research assesses the impact of geopolitical constraints, including regional power dynamics, superpower competition, and international organization memberships, on Bangladeshs foreign policy choices. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article identifies both continuities and changes in foreign policy making processes and analyzes how institutional arrangements affect policy coherence and effectiveness. The findings provide valuable insights into how middle powers in the global South navigate complex international environments and contribute to understanding the institutional dimensions of foreign policy in developing states.