In-house Seminar

This in-house seminar delves into the increasingly complex geopolitical dynamics of the Bay of Bengal, a maritime space that has transformed into a critical arena for strategic competition and cooperation. The Bay is no longer a strategic backwater but a central stage where the interests of major global and regional powers converge and often clash. This discussion will analyze the key geopolitical trends shaping the region, including the growing naval presence of extra-regional powers, the strategic rivalry between India and China, and the renewed interest of actors like the United States, Japan, and the European Union. The seminar will explore how this competition is manifesting in various domains, from infrastructure development and connectivity projects to security partnerships and diplomatic maneuvering.

A core focus of the session is the "balancing game" that littoral states like Bangladesh must play. Positioned at the apex of the Bay, Bangladesh faces the intricate challenge of advancing its national interests by engaging with all major players without getting entangled in their rivalries. The seminar will assess the strategies of strategic autonomy and diplomatic balancing employed by Bangladesh and other regional states. It will examine how countries can leverage this geopolitical fluidity to attract investment, enhance maritime security, and promote a rules-based order, while simultaneously mitigating the risks of polarization and conflict. The discussion aims to foster a deeper understanding of the strategic currents in the Bay of Bengal and to generate policy-relevant insights for Bangladesh on how to skillfully navigate this complex balancing game, thereby safeguarding its sovereignty and maximizing its geo-economic and geostrategic opportunities.