In-house Seminar

This in-house seminar provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state and future potential of Bangladesh-India maritime cooperation in the Bay of Bengal, specifically from the perspective of Bangladesh's national interests. The Bay of Bengal has emerged as a critical arena for both economic opportunity and strategic competition. As the two largest littoral states, the partnership between Bangladesh and India is fundamental to shaping the region's future. This discussion will map out the existing areas of cooperation, including joint efforts in maritime security, coordinated patrols, and information sharing to combat non-traditional threats like piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing.

A major focus of the seminar will be on the prospects for deepening collaboration in the "blue economy." It will explore how the two countries can work together on sustainable fishing, hydrocarbon exploration, marine biotechnology, and eco-tourism to unlock the vast economic potential of the Bay. The session will also analyze the challenges and sensitivities in the relationship, including unresolved issues related to water sharing of transboundary rivers that flow into the Bay and the need for equitable management of shared maritime resources. Furthermore, the discussion will place this bilateral cooperation within the broader geopolitical context of the Indo-Pacific, examining how the partnership can contribute to a stable, secure, and rules-based maritime order. By taking stock of achievements and identifying key challenges, the seminar aims to generate strategic insights and policy recommendations for Bangladesh on how to advance its cooperation with India in the Bay of Bengal, ensuring that the partnership is balanced, mutually beneficial, and serves Bangladesh's long-term strategic and developmental goals.